Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is initiating a 60-day closure affecting the intersection of SR 33 at University Boulevard in Lakeland.
This closure is part of the ongoing I-4 at SR 33 Interchange Improvements and Wildlife Crossings project, designed to accelerate construction and reach full project completion sooner.
Closure Details
- Start Date: Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
- Duration: Approximately 60 days (weather and conditions permitting).
- Affected Areas: The entrance to SR 33 at University Boulevard will be closed. Additionally, the entrance to SR 33 at North Combee Road (SR 659) will also be closed during this period.
Recommended Detour Routes
FDOT has outlined two primary ways to navigate around the closure:
- Non-Toll Option (Local Roads):
- From SR 33, take I-4 East to Exit 44 (SR 559).
- Turn onto C. Fred Jones Boulevard.
- Continue to Berkley Road and use Pace Road to reconnect to the University Boulevard area.
- Toll Option (Quicker):
- Take I-4 to the Polk Parkway (SR 570) interchange.
- Exit onto the Polk Parkway and reconnect to local roads like Pace Road.
- North Combee Road Traffic:
- Motorists traveling southbound on North Combee Road will be directed south to Old Combee Road, then west on Old Combee Road to reach SR 33.
Note: Portable message signs and posted detour signage will be active throughout the area to guide drivers. You are encouraged to allow extra travel time, as traffic patterns in the immediate vicinity of the I-4 interchange will be significantly altered.
For real-time updates and more information on the project’s progress, you can visit the official FDOT District One project page.