POLK CITY, FL — After years of residents calling for improvements, Polk County is moving forward with a $90 million project to widen County Road 557, a heavily traveled two-lane roadway connecting Lake Alfred to Interstate 4.
Thousands of motorists travel this road daily, including commuters and commercial vehicles entering and leaving Lake Alfred. The narrow roadway has long struggled to accommodate increasing traffic volumes as Polk County continues to grow, leaving little room for driver error. The corridor has also been the scene of numerous serious crashes over the years, raising concerns about roadway safety.
On October 6, the Polk County Board of County Commissioners approved a $90 million construction contract with Jr. Davis Construction Company Inc. to widen approximately 5.7 miles of County Road 557, from West Alfred Street to Interstate 4.
The project aims to increase roadway capacity, improve intersection safety, and provide accommodations for pedestrians and bicyclists.
Construction is expected to be completed by spring 2030, marking a significant infrastructure improvement for one of the area’s important transportation corridors.
SOURCE: POLK COUNT COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION
