The latest updates from the June 22, 2026, city records break down how the two funded west-side trail projects are moving forward, alongside why the Sloan Avenue CSX underpass remains a frustrating roadblock.
The Good News: Two Key Connections Underway
Construction contracts totaling around $630,000 were approved on June 15 to expand the network, filling in significant gaps for neighborhoods on the west side:
- The Hartsell Avenue Trail: This project will upgrade the existing 5-foot sidewalk into a 10-foot multi-use concrete path. Running for 1,329 feet between Sikes Boulevard and Lake Beulah Drive, it creates a much safer route passing R.W. Blake Academy and the Twin Lakes community. Eventually, this will tie into a future FDOT-built segment of the Lake Hunter Trail scheduled for 2028.
- The Chase Street Trail: Work also started on June 15 for this $1.385 million, 0.9-mile multi-use path. It spans from Strain Boulevard to just west of Veterans Avenue, substantially improving access right on the western edge of Bonnet Springs Park. It is slated for completion in January 2027.
The Big Bottleneck: The Sloan Avenue Underpass
While these trails bring pedestrians right up to the doorstep of Bonnet Springs Park, actually crossing under the railroad tracks near Sloan Avenue remains highly problematic.
- The Physical Constraints: The aging CSX bridge has a low vertical clearance of just 12.5 feet (well under the modern 16.5-foot standard), which regularly traps oversized trucks. More importantly for pedestrians, the existing sidewalk is a crumbling, tight 2-foot strip right next to active traffic.
- The $20 Million Dilemma: Rebuilding or widening the underpass to accommodate a safe, wide trail connection is estimated to cost roughly $20 million. Because it requires extensive cooperation from CSX—a partner local officials note has been historically difficult to move on crossing expansions—the city will have to aggressively lobby to get the project prioritized and funded through the regional Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) and state grants.
City commissioners have emphasized that if Lakeland gets only one major shot at fixing a railroad crossing barrier in the near future, fixing this specific chokepoint to open up safe, walkable access to Bonnet Springs Park is the top priority.