OKEECHOBEE – The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) invites you to a public hearing for the State Road (S.R.) 70 Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study from County Road (C.R.) 721 South to C.R. 599/SW 128^th Avenue in Highlands and Okeechobee Counties.

 

This study will evaluate and document the benefits, costs, and impacts of widening an 8.6-mile segment of S.R. 70 in Highlands and Okeechobee Counties from the existing two-lane undivided roadway to a four-lane, divided roadway. Also included is the addition of paved shoulders, turn lanes, and a shared use path. Project benefits could include: improved traffic safety conditions, continued maintenance of the important east-west connection and accommodation of the increasing freight activity along the project corridor.

 

This hearing is being conducted to present the preferred alternative and all analysis to date, as well as to give interested persons an opportunity to express their views concerning the location, conceptual design, and social, economic, and environmental effects of the proposed improvements. You can participate in-person or virtually. The information presented during either format will be the same and all attendees will have opportunity to comment.

 

In-Person Option – Dec. 16
Indian River State College, Dixon Hendry Campus, 2229 NW Ninth Ave. in Okeechobee. Open House at 5:30 to 6 p.m. followed by the formal presentation and comment at 6 p.m.

 

Virtual Option – Dec. 18
Register in advance: https://tinyurl.com/SR70Hearing
5:30 p.m.: Project team available for discussion

5:45 p.m.: How to submit comments

6 p.m.: Formal presentation and comment
Please review the materials on project webpage before attending: https://www.swflroads.com/project/450334-1.       
Materials will be posted by

Tuesday, Dec. 9

 

If you are unable to attend the hearing, comments can also be provided through the project webpage https://www.swflroads.com/project/450334-1 or by email

Kathern.Cothern@dot.state.fl.us or by mail to FDOT District One, Attn: Kathern Cothern, Project Manager, MS 1-41, 801 N. Broadway Ave., Bartow, FL 33830. While comments about the project are accepted at any time, they must be received or postmarked by Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, to be included in the formal hearing record. All comments are weighted equally. Questions can be answered by calling Kathern Cothern at 863-519-2331.

 

A summary of the hearing will be available on the webpage approximately 30 days following the close of the comment period.

 

Project documents will be available for public viewing from Nov. 25, 2025 to Dec. 31, 2025, at the Okeechobee Public Library, 206 SW 16^th St., Okeechobee, FL 34974 and at the Florida Department of Transportation, District One, Heartlands Operations Center - Sebring, 4722 Kenilworth Blvd., Sebring, FL 33870. They will also be available on the project webpage.

 

This proposed project involves the use of properties protected under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. The S.R. 70 over Kissimmee River Bridge, Bridge No. 910001 (8HG01236/8OB00336) is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) under Criterion C in the area of Engineering as an example of a removable span bridge. Based on an evaluation of all PD&E Study alternatives, it is not feasible to keep the historic bridge in place and the proposed improvements require the replacement of this bridge. The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) concurred with the findings on July 17, 2024. Subsequently, a Section 106 Case Study was prepared in which the FDOT applied the Criteria of Adverse Effect to this historical property. The SHPO concurred with these findings on Sept. 22, 2025.

 

Local historical societies were contacted on July 21, 2025 to provide information on the adverse effect to the bridge and to request feedback that will be considered for the development of mitigative measures.

 

The proposed undertaking will result in an “adverse effect” to the NRHP-eligible SR 70 over Kissimmee River Bridge, Bridge No. 910001 (8HG01236/8OB00336). Proposed mitigation strategies being discussed include the salvage of the existing bridge plaque and relocation to a new location, an educational exhibit to be placed in close proximity to the bridge location, and a Historic American Engineering Record document. Your input is sought concerning the undertaking’s adverse effect to the resource and proposed mitigation. Persons interested in this project may review the approved Section 106 Case Study on the project website (https://www.swflroads.com/project/450334-1), or at the FDOT District 1 Heartland Operations Center – Sebring and the Okeechobee Public Library.

 

In addition, in accordance with Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act of 1966 and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, FDOT is seeking comments and input from the public, interested parties, and governmental agencies concerning the effects of the project on the activities, features, and attributes of this resource and the mitigation options under consideration for the proposed impacts. FDOT intends to make a programmatic Section 4(f) impact determination for this resource.

 

The proposed improvements are adjacent to the Kissimmee River Public Use Area. As proposed, the project will impact approximately 2.43 acres of property from this recreation area. As part of the project development process and in accordance with Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act of 1966, the FDOT is seeking comments from the public concerning the effects of the project on the activities, features and attributes of this recreation area. The FDOT intends to make a de minimis impact determination for this resource.

 

The proposed improvements lie over the National Register of Historic Places-eligible Slough Ditch Canal (C-41A) (8HG01127) and Kissimmee River (C-38 Canal) (8HG01650/8OB00489). The project will construct one new bridge over the Slough Ditch Canal (C-41A) (8HG01127) and two new bridges over the Kissimmee River (C-38 Canal) (8HG01650/8OB00489). As part of the project development process and in accordance with Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act of 1966, FDOT is seeking comments from the public concerning the effects of the project on the activities, features, and attributes of these resources. FDOT Office of Environmental Management intends to make de minimis impact determinations for these resources.

 

FDOT solicits public participation without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or family status. People who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Cynthia Sykes, District One Title VI Coordinator, at 863-519-2287, or email at Cynthia.Sykes@dot.state.fl.us at least seven days prior to the public hearing.