FDOT is planning a 210-mile walking and biking trail from Polk to Collier County
Ever had the desire to saunter — or pedal — from Lakeland to Naples?
The Florida Department of Transportation is taking the initial steps toward making that possible.
The agency is in the first phase of planning the Collier to Polk Regional Trail, which would cover about 210 miles and cross six counties. The FDOT is holding a series of open houses on the proposed multi-use trail, and one will be held June 4 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the agency’s District 1 office in Bartow.
The FDOT cites multiple reasons for planning the regional trail: enhancing economic and nature-based tourism potential; connecting small towns, parks, preserves, heritage sites and wildlife corridors; enhancing active transportation opportunities; and providing health benefits.
A map of the trail study area on the agency’s website shows a roughly 10-mile-wide swath encircling Polk County and running south around U.S. 98 and then U.S. 17. The study area extends through Hardee, Highlands, Glades, Hendry and Collier counties.
The course splits into two potential termination zones in Collier County. One parallels State Road 29 from Immokalee to Everglades City. The other veers to the southwest toward Naples and continues down the coast to Marco Island.
The project is funded for the first two stages, planning and project development and environment study, said Patricia Pichette, a communications specialist for FDOT’s District 1 office. The agency would need to find funding for the future phases: design, right-of-way acquisition and construction.
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The master plan, due to be developed by the end of July, will analyze existing conditions in the study area; review current trail planning and programming; identify communities, destinations and attractions that the trail could connect; and engage the public for input, FDOT said. The agency will use the information to develop “high-level concepts” for where the trail could be located.
The FDOT aims to create an action plan with implementation recommendations and prepare for future project development.
The agency plans to incorporate existing paths into the Collier to Polk Regional Trail. Polk County trails mentioned on the project’s website include the Van Fleet State Trail, which runs from Polk City north to southern Lake County along a former railroad line; the Auburndale-TECO Trail; and Fort Fraser Trail, which connects Circle B Bar Reserve to Bartow.
Existing trails in other counties that could become part of the regional trail include Gordon River Greenway and Rich King Memorial Greenway, both in Collier County. The regional trail would provide future opportunities to connect with other trails, such as Florida National Scenic Trail, according to the FDOT project website.
The project website cites the reported impacts of existing trails, such as the projected $518 million in economic impact over a decade for the 250-mile Florida Coast to Coast Trail, whose construction began in 2017, and $137 million in economic and health benefits for the 46-mile Northwest Arkansas Razorback Greenway.
Some Floridians might recall that the Florida Legislature passed a bill in 2019 directing FDOT to build three toll roads, including one connecting Polk and Collier counties. The trail is not related to those plans, Pichette said. The Legislature repealed the toll road projects in 2021.
For those unable to make the June 4 meeting, FDOT is offering a virtual open house that will provide the same materials for review and comment. The virtual open house will be available beginning Wednesday through June 10 at https://colliertopolktrail.com/get-involved.
Gary White can be reached at [email protected] or 863-802-7518. Follow on X @garywhite13.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: FDOT seeks input on planned Polk to Collier multi-use trail
