$1 Million Agreement for Roosevelt Drive Street Improvements Approved by Winter Haven
by James Coulter
Roosevelt Drive in Winter Haven will soon undergo street enhancements now that city commissioners have approved an agreement of more than $1 million.
At their recent meeting on Mon. Jan. 26, the Winter Haven City Commission voted unanimously to approve a Local Agency Program (LAP) Agreement for street enhancements along Roosevelt Drive.
The agreement involves a $1,211,102 grant awarded from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for enhancements along Roosevelt Drive from SR 540/Cypress Gardens Boulevardto Register Road.
The project would make the following significant upgrades:
- Extend the roadway to connect with Register Road, improving connectivity
- Addition of pedestrian facilities in areas where none currently exist
- Improved drainage with a new curb, gutter, and rain gardens to manage stormwater
- Resurface the roadway to enhance drivability
The City had previously approved the agreement through a resolution on July 28, 2025. However, an error was identified in the work program “that did not accurately reflect the full construction funding amount associated with this project,” wrote Brittany Hart, Public Works Director.
“FDOT has since revised the Work Program and corresponding Local Agency Program (LAP) Agreement to reflect the corrected construction funding total of $1,211,102. As a result of this revision, the LAP Agreement must be re-approved by the City Commission via resolution,” she continued.
While no local match funds were required for the grant, the City has expended $145,656 for the project’s design. Construction is required to be completed by June 30, 2029.
This construction project is part of a broader initiative by the City to improve city streets as part of the Cypress Gardens Boulevard Vision Plan. Currently, Roosevelt Drive does not fully connect between Cypress Gardens Boulevard (SR 540) and Register Road.
This project will reconstruct and complete a 950‑foot segment of unimproved right-of-way, creating a continuous corridor. The project will also provide enhancements, including a 5‑foot sidewalk, an 10‑foot multi‑use path, street trees, and rain gardens.
