Winter Haven accepts Lake Ruby Drive West improvements; residents press Polk County for traffic signal

The Winter Haven City Commission on April 13 unanimously approved Resolution R26-12 to accept roadway, pedestrian and utility improvements on Lake Ruby Drive West that staff said were completed to city standards after the street transferred to the city in April 2024. Staff estimated the improvements at approximately $2,390,000 and recommended formal acceptance so the city can assume responsibility for the accepted utilities.

The vote came after two Traditions-area residents urged commissioners to press Polk County officials for safety upgrades at the intersection of Thompson Nursery Road and Lake Ruby Drive West, where the neighborhood's golf-cart users must cross a 45 mph roadway to reach community amenities. Linda Fe, vice president of the Traditions homeowners association, told the commission that developers have already been approved for roughly 1,000 multifamily units in the area and warned the added traffic will exacerbate danger. "Please don't put a human life as payment for a preventable solution," Fe said, urging the city to seek county action or a letter of support.

Charlene Anger, a Traditions resident, described drivers she has observed traveling "60 and 70 miles an hour" and said crossing by golf cart can take five to seven minutes; she said enforcement alone would not solve the safety risk. "I don't want to be the one to get hit or any of my community residents," she said.

City staff and commissioners acknowledged the safety concerns but noted Thompson Nursery Road is under Polk County jurisdiction. The commission directed staff to follow up with Polk County staff, including Mr. Jarvis, to clarify county policy on marked pedestrian crossings at non-signalized intersections and to ask what the county's design plans are for the corridor once widening is complete. The commission asked staff to prepare options—such as a letter of support or other intergovernmental action—for its consideration.

R26-12 implements requirements from PUD Ordinance 2339, which placed responsibility on the developer (identified in staff materials as TJS of Central Florida) to construct roadway improvements and an eight-foot multiuse trail. Staff reported inspections found the work ready for formal acceptance. The commission carried the resolution by voice vote.

Next steps: staff will contact Polk County to request clarification of crossing policies and future signal or design plans for the intersection and will return to the commission with options for follow-up action.