DAVENPORT, Fla. — Drivers in Polk County are frustrated over the growing traffic, especially in places like Davenport.

What You Need To Know

  • Many drivers will go through the intersection of U.S. 27 and Deen Still Road in Davenport to avoid Interstate 4 traffic

  • A high number of box trucks and semi-trucks use the intersection

  • Polk County officials confirmed to Spectrum Bay News 9 that changes are now in the works there to improve traffic

With lots of traffic on Interstate 4 through east Polk County, many drivers will go through the intersection of U.S. 27 and Deen Still Road in Davenport to get around it.

“It just becomes a nightmare,” said Sally Speler-Venne, who has lived in Davenport for 35 years. “You can’t move. You’re just stuck there.”

She feels the design at U.S. 27 and Deen Still Road does not help.

“There are curbs that jet out which prevent you from going completely straight to make a turn,” Sally Speler-Venne.

Her friend Sarah Albinson agrees, noting the high number of semi-trucks and box trucks that also use the intersection and then get stuck waiting at the intersection.

“It is extremely frustrating. It can take me almost 45 minutes to go 1.3 miles up the street,” Albinson said.

They’d both like to see the intersection changed to help improve the traffic flow there.

“I think they just need to take the curbs out and rework the road a little bit,” Albinson said.

Polk County officials confirmed to Spectrum Bay News 9 that changes are now in the works there.

They plan to make modifications to extend the turn lanes and through lanes at Deen Still Road and U.S. 27.

They’re also planning a bigger overhaul of the intersection down the line as well.

Ultimately, they say the I-4 traffic being improved there, which the Florida Dept of Transportation is also working on, will be the best fix.