Central Polk Parkway
{{Multiple issues|
{{prose|section|date=May 2023}}
{{Update|date=August 2024}}
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{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Infobox road
| state = FL
| type = SR
| route = 570B
| marker_image = none
| alternate_name = Central Polk Parkway
| counties = Polk
| direction_a = South
| terminus_a = {{jct|state=FL|Toll|570}} in Winter Haven
| junctions =
| direction_b = North
| terminus_b = {{jct|state=FL|I|4}} in Davenport
| established =
| header_type =
| history = Revived in 2018
| length_mi =
| length_ref =
| maint = FTX
| map = Central polk parkway.pdf
| map_notes = The map of Central Polk Parkway
| next_route = 573
| next_type = SR
| previous_route = 570
| previous_type = Toll
}}
The Central Polk Parkway, also known as State Road 570B (SR 570B), is a proposed controlled-access toll road in Polk County, Florida. The proposed road is actually two separate roads—called legs by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). The western segment will connect the Polk Parkway with SR 60 between Bartow and Lake Wales.{{cite news |url = http://fortmeadeleader.com/articles/2010/09/11/news/local/doc4c8ab1c817045033043507.txt |title = Central Polk Parkway workshop scheduled |access-date = September 17, 2010 |work = Fort Meade Leader }}{{dead link|date=August 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The eastern leg will start a few miles east of SR 60 and run north, parallel to US Highway 27 (US 27), and terminate at Interstate 4 (I-4) north of Davenport. The most recent, and viable, proposed routing will connect the two legs together near the CSX Intermodal Facility south of Wahneta.{{cite web |author = Florida Department of Transportation |url = http://www.centralpolkparkway.com/CPP_handout_insert.pdf |title = Central Polk Parkway PD&E study: Viable Corridors & Evaluation Matrix |access-date = October 21, 2010 |publisher = Florida Department of Transportation |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110708132646/http://www.centralpolkparkway.com/CPP_handout_insert.pdf |archive-date = July 8, 2011 |url-status = dead }}{{cite web |url = http://www.tboblogs.com/index.php/news/story/the-heartland-parkway-is-back-on-track/ |title = The Heartland Parkway Is Back On Track |access-date = September 17, 2010 |publisher = tbo |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110716195025/http://www.tboblogs.com/index.php/news/story/the-heartland-parkway-is-back-on-track/ |archive-date = July 16, 2011 |url-status = dead }} In December 2015, FDOT announced the cancellation of any further work on the project, citing insufficient funds (a $1 billion shortfall) and low traffic volume.{{cite news |last1 = Palmer |first1 = Tom |title = FDOT: Central Polk Parkway dead for now |url = http://www.theledger.com/article/20151210/NEWS/151219988 |access-date = January 30, 2016 |work = The Ledger |date = December 10, 2015 }} The project continued to have the support of the local business community and local politicians, however, and it was revived in 2018.{{cite news |last1 = Rufty |first1 = Bill |title = Maybe Polk County Will Build a Toll Road Anyway |url = http://floridapolitics.com/archives/197843-maybe-polk-county-will-build-a-toll-road-anyway |access-date = January 30, 2016 |work = Florida Politics |date = January 6, 2016 }}
History
File:Central Polk Parkway proposed map.jpg
The Central Polk Parkway had its beginnings in another proposed road project, the controversial Heartland Parkway, which was proposed to connect the Lakeland area with Fort Myers. It would have run {{convert|150|mi}} through undeveloped land in the Florida Heartland. This proposal was supported by former governor Jeb Bush, but his successor Charlie Crist criticized the idea due primarily to environmental concerns. The northernmost segment of the Heartland Parkway segment in Polk County has been dubbed as "the fish hook" by proponents of the project.{{cite web |access-date = January 14, 2020 |title = Heartland Parkway is the toll road that wouldn't die |url = https://www.tampabay.com/environment/heartland-parkway-is-the-toll-road-that-wouldnt-die-20190218/ |website = Tampa Bay Times |last1 = Pittman |first1 = Craig |date = February 18, 2019 }} According to feasibility studies on various east–west and north–south routes throughout the state by the Florida's Turnpike Enterprise, the route from State Road 60 to the Polk Parkway was the only feasible route,{{citation needed|date=October 2010}} meaning it would be supported by tolls alone. Further studies were funded and the project is currently{{When|date=March 2016}} past the initial planning stages.
=Needs=
{{More citations needed section|date=June 2019}}
The Central Polk Parkway fulfills a number of needs in Polk County, according to the FDOT and the road's proponents:
- It will act as a beltway around the City of Winter Haven, providing easy freeway access to the Polk Parkway and Interstate 4.
- The planned CSX freight terminal off of US 27 in Winter Haven was supposed to have created substantial truck traffic, and the proposed road would have helped keep these trucks off of local roads.{{cite web |author = Florida Department of Transportation |url = http://www.centralpolkparkway.com/ |title = Central Polk Parkway Homepage |access-date = September 17, 2010 |publisher = Florida Department of Transportation |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150223155730/http://www.centralpolkparkway.com/ |archive-date = February 23, 2015 |url-status = dead |df = mdy-all }}
- The Clear Springs development in Bartow will double or triple Bartow's population in the next 20 years, increasing traffic substantially on State Road 60 and US 17.
- The construction of Legoland Florida on the site of the old Cypress Gardens will bring added traffic to the area.
- The road would have reduced traffic on State Road 60, US 17 and US 27.
=Revival=
The project was revived in early 2018, and a preliminary design was released in June 2019.{{Cite news |title = Central Polk Parkway route raises concerns |last = White |first = Gary |date = June 23, 2019 |work = The Ledger |page = A10 }} Construction began on the segment of Central Polk Parkway from Polk Parkway at the SR 540 interchange to a new interchange with US 17 (SR 35). Another section of the expressway is in design spanning from US 17 (SR 35) to SR 60 ending at an interchange with SR 60 at Connersville Road.
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20110708132646/http://www.centralpolkparkway.com/CPP_handout_insert.pdf Handout with map & analysis of proposed routes]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20110708132701/http://www.centralpolkparkway.com/Corridor_Report.pdf Complete PD&E study ("corridor report")]
- [https://floridasturnpike.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/CentralPolkParkway_Factsheet_FINAL_3.7.23.pdf FTE Construction Notice SR570B from SR570 to US17]
- [https://floridasturnpike.com/turnpike-projects/featured-projects/central-polk-parkway-us-17-to-sr-60/ Design Phase FTE Central Polk Parkway US17 to SR60]