Transportation is a key issue for our City to address as we grow. We have intersections that were not built to handle the growth we are experiencing, such as the tight squeeze on Florida Avenue or rush hour on Cleveland Heights Blvd. We love Spring Training and Sun ‘n Fun, but the increased traffic can be hard on our infrastructure. I have experience working with DOT on intersections, safe turns, and traffic flow patterns.
As more people discover all that Lakeland offers, we’ll see more congested roadways, and we need a more dynamic approach to transportation. The City staff and the Commissioners must work aggressively with the Polk Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) and Department of Transportation (DOT) to get Lakeland projects done.
To grow and develop our workforce and increase residential density, a robust public transportation system that includes service in the evenings and on weekends is crucial. Reroute 2020, Citrus Connection’s expansion of service hours that starts in October, is a good start.
We’ve seen improvements to make downtown Lakeland more walkable and bikeable, but more can be done there and throughout the city. As we look to the future, new and modified modes of transportation will arise, with less reliance on the traditional automobile. Lakeland must be prepared for these changes.
As a City Commissioner, I will bring experience in transportation issues to the table. I welcome these challenges as Lakeland continues to thrive.
