Lake Placid town leaders on Jan. 13 endorsed a request from the US‑27 construction team to change weekend phased lane closures at the Del Hall/Tower Road intersection to a single continuous 21‑day full closure in mid‑June. The change, if approved by the Florida Department of Transportation, would allow crews to place 11‑inch concrete slabs across the intersection in one uninterrupted operation rather than seven to nine weekend closures stretched across months.

The town heard the proposal from Dan Foss, senior project engineer for Eisman Russo, and a representative of C.W. Roberts Construction, the contractor on the US‑27 project. Foss said the 21‑day closure is intended to improve worker and motorist safety and reduce the risk posed by repeated short weekend closures during Florida’s unstable summer weather. “It’s concrete. We’re gonna be in a big hole. Holes fill up with water,” Foss told the council, and a continuous closure would reduce repeated detour changes and confusion, he said.

C.W. Roberts’ representative said the company would maintain the detour routes approved in the contract and would coordinate weekly updates with first‑responder agencies during the 21‑day shutdown. The contractor said businesses at the intersection — including gas stations and a strip mall — would retain vehicular access from at least one entrance and that message boards and an extensive signage package would be deployed to guide traffic and reduce complaints.

Town staff and the contractor told council members there was no additional cost to the town or Highlands County for adopting the modified traffic control language. Councilmember comments focused on detour clarity, access to businesses and coordination with emergency responders. Councilmember questions included where detour traffic would be routed and whether the proposed timing would avoid school traffic; the contractor answered that the plan targets a mid‑June start and would aim to finish before July 4.

By motion, council authorized preparing and sending a letter to FDOT stating the town has no objection to the contractor requesting the traffic‑control modification and schedule change. The record shows a roll call vote recorded in the meeting transcript in which Councilmember Hayes, Councilmember Worley, Councilmember Charles and Councilmember Everhart voted in favor. The motion was recorded as passing and staff will draft the support letter for the contractor to forward to FDOT.

The council action did not itself change the contract; it directed town staff to transmit the town’s support to DOT so the contractor can formally request the modification. If DOT approves the change, the contractor said it would work around weekly updates and first‑responder coordination and would open the intersection as soon as work is complete.

The item was presented during the council’s presentations section and followed by a council motion and recorded vote. The contractor and FDOT staff said they would continue public outreach while the request moves through DOT review.