Lake Wales, FL – January 2, 2026 – Drivers in the Lake Wales area should plan alternate routes as a section of Old Bartow Road, north of Whidden Cemetery Road, is closed to through traffic for emergency repairs.
Polk County officials announced the 13-day closure on December 30, 2025, to allow a third-party vendor to rebuild a failed segment of the roadway. The road is scheduled to reopen on Sunday, January 11, 2026.
Detours for through traffic include:
- Eastbound: Mountain Lake Cutoff Road to U.S. Highway 27
- Westbound: Old Bartow Lake Wales Road to Logistics Parkway
All dates and timelines are subject to change due to on-site conditions. Motorists are advised to exercise caution in the area.
SOURCE: POLK COUNTY GOVERNMENT
