Okeechobee commissioners plan letter opposing FDOT’s State Road 70 widening concept

Okeechobee County commissioners directed staff to prepare an opposition letter to the Florida Department of Transportation after a staff update on a proposed widening of State Road 70.

County engineering staff told the board the FDOT concept presented on Nov. 18 would widen the existing median to 16 feet, reduce travel lanes from 12 feet to 11 feet, remove some left‑turn and right‑turn lanes and add mid‑block crosswalks — changes the county says could affect traffic flow and local access. “We requested that a letter be developed outlining issues and concerns,” the county engineer said, noting a planned meet‑and‑greet with FDOT Secretary Jamie Driggers next Wednesday in Okeechobee where the board will raise the matters again.

Commissioners discussed prioritizing safety concerns and making sure DOT heard local alternatives. The engineer said the lane‑width change is tied to the ongoing milling and resurfacing work and that county staff have been monitoring DOT meeting minutes and following up on outstanding questions.

The board asked staff to continue tracking DOT’s progress, bring the letter to the commission for review and raise the matter with Secretary Driggers at the scheduled meeting. Staff also told the board milling and resurfacing crews will continue to conduct daily lane closures in the construction zone and warned drivers to expect changes in traffic patterns while work is underway.

No formal vote on the letter was recorded; the board instructed staff to draft the correspondence and present next steps to commissioners.