US Highway 27 is a major north-south controlled access roadway that plays an important role in regional mobility and the state economy. With connections throughout Florida and into other states, US 27 is a part of the state's Strategic Intermodal System (SIS). The SIS is a statewide network of high-priority transportation facilities, including the state's largest and most significant commercial airports, spaceport, deep water seaports, freight rail terminals, passenger rail and intercity bus terminals, rail corridors, waterways, and highways. In providing direct access between South and Central Florida regions, it also acts as a major truck route being a part of Federal Highway Administration National Highway Freight Network (Critical Urban Corridor), and connects with several other important SIS facilities in the state. US 27 also designated as an important evacuation route by Florida Division of Emergency Management connecting other major arterials in District 1. Improvements along US 27 will increase capacity, and efficiency, leading to improved evacuation and emergency response times.
The US 27 Corridor under evaluation in Highlands County is a divided facility with majority of facility running along urbanized areas. The study area represents the vital corridor in the transportation network for the Sebring-Avon Park Urbanized Area and provides access to employment, residential neighborhoods, and recreational destinations, and services. The District One Regional Planning Model (D1RPM) estimated population growth of 54% and employment growth of 62% for the district and 54% growth in population and 37% growth in employment for the Highlands County. Aviation and its related industries have shown significant potential in recent years and are identified as continuing to have regional impact in the future. The Sebring Airport is expected to have major impact on trade and logistics, and employment, in the years to come as per LRTP.
Daily traffic volumes through the Sebring and Avon Park communities are the highest within the study area. US 27 around Avon Park and northward are predicted to be at or near capacity by 2045, making the quality of transportation service unacceptable by FDOT standards. The 2045 cost feasible model includes network improvements to the north of the study area including the completion of the Central Polk Parkway East and the Poinciana Parkway Extension.
Per the District One Freight Mobility and Trade Plan, US 27 is the lifeline of the agriculture industry for the Heartland region. Per the D1RPM v2.0 freight growth, along with the changing context of US 27 in urbanized areas, necessitates a review of alternative north-
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