The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is hosting a public meeting for the proposed median modification improvements at the intersection of US 17 at CR 761 in Desoto County. Interim improvements at this intersection are proposed to be constructed in the interest of safety while the long-term improvements are still under consideration.  You can participate in the public meeting virtually or in-person. The virtual public meeting will be held on May 6, 2025. FDOT staff will present to the public and will host a live component beginning at 6:00 pm that will be open to comments from the public. The virtual event can be accessed online through the project website at https://www.swflroads.com/US17atCR761.

ONLINE OPTION – Attend virtually from a computer, tablet or mobile device. You can register in advance by visiting https://bit.ly/4lfoYJD or the project website. Once registered, attendees will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting online.

PHONE OPTION – Join the virtual meeting in listen-only mode by dialing +1 (319) 423-3625 and entering the passcode 754-291-120 when prompted. Callers may submit comments directly to the project manager by using the contact information listed below.

IN-PERSON – Additionally, an in-person public meeting will be held on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at the Turner Agri-Civic Center, 2250 NE Roan Street, Arcadia, Florida 34266. The in-person meeting will be an open house format from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm and will allow in-person attendees to view a looping presentation and project displays, speak with project team members, and submit comments or questions. The proposed interim safety improvements will reduce conflict points and improve safety at the intersection by removing crossing movements of US 17 from CR 761 and requiring motorists to make right turns onto US 17 with U-turns at the adjacent median openings.  Left turns onto CR 761 will continue to be permitted. Long term safety improvements continue to be considered and evaluated. The public meeting is being held to present information about the proposed safety improvements and obtain input from the public.

The public meeting, the website, and the virtual meeting all provide opportunities for you to offer feedback. Comments received during the public meeting, by email or regular mail received before May 22, 2025, will become part of the official meeting record. For more information on all options of the upcoming public meeting, visit the project website or contact the project manager (listed below).

FDOT is sending notices to property owners, business owners, interested persons and organizations within 300-feet of the project to provide the opportunity to give comments to FDOT regarding this project. If you have any questions about the project, please contact FDOT Project Manager, Samuel Berkman by phone at (863) 519-2317, email at [email protected].

After reviewing the public meeting materials, and/or participating, you may submit comments in three different ways: 1) on the project website; 2) emailing the FDOT Project Manager, Samuel Berkman at [email protected]; or 3) mailing comments to Samuel Berkman at FDOT District One, P.O. Box 1249, Bartow, FL 33931-1249. While comments about the project are accepted at any time, please note that comments must be received or postmarked by May 22, 2025, to be included in the formal public meeting record.

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 [email protected]  at least seven days prior to the public meeting.