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LAKELAND, Fla. — Planning is moving forward on the long-awaited Kathleen Road extension in Lakeland.
Residents say it is needed as the area continues to grow.
“Well, we’ve been hearing about 15-20 years, that they were going to go four lanes,” said Marie Yale, owner of K&K Nursery, located just off of Kathleen Road.
Kathleen Road is a north-south route through north Lakeland. Much of the road is two lanes.
For years, drivers have been hoping for a widening and extension of Kathleen Road to U.S. 98 to relieve traffic congestion.
That was especially the case when construction at the new Fox Branch Ranch development started in 2024.
A new U.S. House appropriations bill now includes $3 million to complete the design and permitting process for the extension project. Polk County officials confirmed they are receiving those funds.
Rep. Laurel Lee (R, FL-15) said in the funding request, “This is needed to reduce congestion on an already failing roadway. The State would receive a substantial benefit from the widening and extension of this roadway to the north,” according to her website.
Yale is hopeful it will help as long as construction doesn’t impact her business.
“I would hope they would take us into consideration to help people get to us so that we can stay in business,” Yale said.
Polk County officials confirmed the project is still in the planning phase. Construction likely won’t start for another three or four years, but officials say the federal funding helps move it forward. The project is also in the county’s long term transportation plan.
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Tim Wronka
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