The city is moving ahead to install a roundabout at the downtown intersection near Bonnet Springs Park.
On Monday, the Lakeland City Commission authorized taking steps forward to establish the roundabout at the crossroads of Sloan Avenue, West Central Avenue, West Main Street and Lake Belulah Drive.
Currently there is a traffic signal there.
The commissioners voted to authorize up to $250,000 be spent on the preparation of construction plans, construction specifications, cost estimates, a timeline, utility coordination services and applicable permit applications. .
That reduction is considered especially important for the future opening of Bonnet Springs Park, which is expected to generate additional motor and pedestrian traffic along those roadways.
The design process for the roundabout is scheduled to be completed in June 2022. Funds for to construct the project have already been allocated for the fiscal year through transportation funds and the Community Redevelopment Agency, but construction will not begin until after graduations wrap at the nearby RP Funding Center next year.