FDOT to spend $20 million on SR 70

In the next five years, the Florida Department of Transportation plans to pour $55 million into Highlands County.

The most expensive projects:

•$3 million to help build phase III of Sebring Parkway between north Sebring and South Florida Community College.

•$20 million to resurface SR 70 in front of the future Vercipia biofuels plant in Brighton.

•$15 million to resurface US 27 from Avon Park to Sun 'n Lake in FY 2011-12.

The handiest project, though, will be the computerization of traffic signals in 2015, said Highlands County Administrator Michael Wright.

Because cars can get off the highway more quickly, Wright said the coordination of traffic signals probably adds 5 to 8 percent to U.S. 27's capacity.

"We can set it up to handle peak hours, and we can adjust on the fly," Wright said. When he was using the same system in Tallahassee, highway engineers added 10 seconds to a turn lane light to take care of stacked up traffic.

Synchronization will be especially helpful to Sebring's highest traffic area, U.S. 27 from Sun 'n Lake to Walmart.

"That's only going to get more congested," Wright said.

Highlands County is getting the $500,000 computerized system before densely populated areas, Wright said. "A lot of urban counties don't have that yet."

FDOT also offered an additional $1.75 million for Sebring Parkway, if the county would put off the project from next year to FY 2011-12.

"DOT approached us and wanted to shift some projects around," Wright said. He isn't sure whether the state was dealing with 2010 budget stressors or engineers just needed more space. But when added to the $1.25 million the state was already offering, it meant the state was paying for half the project.

"We said, 'Sure.'"

At commission meetings, citizens have questioned the need for Sebring Parkway.

"The criticism doesn't bother me," Wright said. "Our road plan is a 20-year vision. We have a ton of expected growth."

Other projects

Bike lane, sidewalkMemorial Elementary to Pompano DriveFY-11$113,000

Bike lane, sidewalkHal McRae from U.S. 27 to beachFY-11$268,000

Lake Placid LightingUS 27 at CR 29 (Sweetbay)FY-10$434,000