Future land use data was identified from the Highlands County Planning and Zoning Department to correlate growth with its impact on the transportation network. The Heartland region is experiencing a continued trend of urbanization and the overall shift from farming and agriculture to residential and commercial uses. As the land uses and context of US 27 diversify, transportation needs to accommodate that shift and help shape future demand and travel modes. Discussions with county officials revealed major regional and planned developments that will impact US 27 travel patterns. This includes multiple new residential subdivisions that will impact access to US 27, and an influx of industrial employment generated from the Sebring Airport expansion adjacent to US 27 and the Air-Glades Aviation and America's Gateway Logistic Center south of the study corridor in Glades County. Future land use maps and discussions with county officials confirm that Highlands County will continue to welcome new residents and businesses as a cost effective and desirable alternative to coastal and Southern Florida. Continued coordination with county officials and periodically reviewing updated land use maps is necessary to ensure development does not significantly impact traffic patterns. A more detailed land use study is needed to understand future development patterns within the region and their alignment with the community vision and future roadway context.
The truck volumes and truck parking utilization rates discussed in Section 2.4 Freight Operations indicate the need to address freight impacts. Freight activity will continue to play a significant role in the economic growth of the Heartland region. As agriculture land is redeveloped into industrial employment, freight will continue to drive the regional economy and truck traffic on the US 27 corridor. Polk County is expected to experience trade and logistics growth, the expansion of the Airglades International Airport and the development of the Americas Gateway Logistics Center to the south of the study corridor is projected to add ten thousand new industrial jobs. As noted in the Existing Conditions discussion, truck parking is already at or over capacity throughout the Heartland region. Increased freight will continue to exacerbate this demand. Freight mobility can be addressed by exploring alternative or bypass routes.
The detour analysis referenced in Section 2.9. Vulnerability demonstrated a lack of redundancy on the transportation network. Hurricane Irma in 2017 and most recently Hurricane Ian in 2022 forced mass evacuations to where Florida's north-south corridors could not handle the influx of traffic generated by evacuation, disaster response and recovery fleet movements. Furthermore, Hurricane Ian's aftermath revealed the worst-case scenario for the region with the Peace River rising and closing a 20-mile stretch of I-75, and alternative routes throughout the region. This unprecedented disaster damaged critical transportation infrastructure isolating coastal and inland communities and cutting off freight mobility in Southwest Florida. A more resilient transportation network emphasizes increased accessibility by providing alternative routes. The transportation network needs more route choices for travelers within, through and around the Heartland region. This makes the transportation system less vulnerable to major events by facilitating quicker recovery from disrupted operations. As storm frequency and intensity increase due to changing climate conditions, additional capacity and a focus on more resilient infrastructure is needed on the transportation network to help mitigate emergency and disruptive events.
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