A one-day closure of Friedlander Road in rural Lake Wales and a two-day closure of Saddle Creek Road in the Combee area of Lakeland will detour traffic next week.
On Tuesday, September 24, Polk County will close Friedlander Road from Judy Street to Sarah Street for underground drainage upgrades to better convey localized stormwater runoff. Friedlander Road should reopen the following afternoon. Depending on the direction of travel, traffic will briefly detour along Tangelo Street or Lewis Griffin Road. Residential access will be maintained during construction.
On Wednesday, September 25, CSX Transportation (CSXT) is closing the Saddle Creek Road rail crossing at the Saddle Creek Distribution Warehouse complex located a quarter-mile west of Fish Hatchery Road. Closure is needed for emergency repairs to fix an “identified track defect.” Saddle Creek Road traffic will detour along Combee Road (State Road 659) or Fish Hatchery Road to U.S. Highway 92 to bypass the rail work zone. A detour will increase congestion and travel delays, especially during peak-hour traffic. Local commuters can seek alternate routes to lessen delays.
Motorists encountering either closure are advised to drive carefully and add extra time to trips through these areas.
For more details, contact Bill Skelton with the Polk County Roads & Drainage Division at (8363) 535-2200. Anyone wanting to report a public road rail crossing issue or complaint should call CSX at 1-800-232-0144 or email them at [email protected].