Winter Haven, FL – A dump truck flipped on its side this morning at the 540 construction site on Thornhill Road. Authorities on scene report the accident occurred within the construction zone, briefly delaying traffic on Thornhill Road as rescue crews worked to reach the scene. The driver was transported to a local hospital.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Polk County Fire Rescue responded to the accident. According to authorities, the truck was hauling sand, and no gas leaks were reported. Traffic on Thornhill Road has since returned to normal with no ongoing delays. Nothing further at this time.
This construction site is part of the Polk Parkway expansion, which aims to extend the highway to US 17 to help with traffic control due to the population increase. The Polk Parkway expansion is a significant project locally. Construction on the Central Polk Parkway began in March 2023, with the goal of extending the existing SR 570 from Winter Lake Road (SR 540) southeast to US 17, and eventually reaching SR 60. It’s a $257 million project designed to ease congestion in Polk County, Florida’s fastest-growing area, according to the census. Nothing further at this time.
