POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Michele Peck remembers what traffic was like in Auburndale when she first moved there in 1998.

What You Need To Know

  • Polk County resident would like to see interchange improvements to I-4 and SR 559

  • FDOT is planning to install a new traffic light there to help with congestion

  • FDOT is also moving forward with project to add lanes on I-4 from US 27 to Champions Gate

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“At that time, it was a very quiet, slow, sleepy town,” Peck said.

Now, Polk is one of the fastest growing counties in the entire country. U.S. Census Bureau data shows nearly 30,000 people moved to the county last year.

And with that comes traffic.

“A lot of people are going to Tampa or Orlando to work. That’s causing these backups every morning,” Peck said.

Her main concern is about the growing congestion on I-4 and what that’s done to the exit and entrance ramps for State Road 559 near her home in Auburndale. 

“We can sit on that ramp 25 minutes sometimes trying to get in. There are no lights, no traffic circle, there’s nothing. You have to wait,” Peck said.

When heading east toward Orlando, she said the traffic can be slow all day, something many drivers deal with.

“Once you hit US 27, it’s all stop and go until you get past Champions Gate,” Peck said.

She’d like to see improvements to the interchange at SR-559.

And when heading on I-4 east, she’d like to see more lanes.

“Five lanes all the way through. With an express. You’re going city to city,” Peck said.

Florida Department of Transportation officials confirmed that a project going on now near SR-559 includes installing a new traffic light at the I-4 interchange, which should help with traffic congestion there.

As for the I-4 congestion, FDOT is still working toward its “Moving Florida Forward” initiative, which includes new lanes and express lanes on I-4 from US 27 to Champions Gate. That work is expected to get underway in 2026-2027.