The following column is the Road Watch report for Okeechobee County for the week beginning Sunday, April 6, provided by the Florida Department of Transportation.

Motorists are reminded to wear safety belts and drive with caution, courtesy, common sense, and patience as they travel through work zones. Remember, speeding fines are doubled in work zones.

US 441 at NE 50^th Drive (Hillard Road): US 441 at NE 50th Drive (Hillard Road): (Permit project) Crews are constructing a temporary road connection to rebuild Hillard Road, including a new driveway connection and right-turn lane for the South Florida Water Management facility. Crews will continue installing the water main and force main piping along U.S. 441 North within the easements. This includes grade work, which will not impact traffic.

• Crews will conduct striping removal and restriping operations on US 441 southbound and northbound on April 2 and April 3, 2025. Lane shifts and intermittent lane closures will be in place. Flaggers will be on site to guide traffic and ensure safety.

• From April 3 through April 22, road widening work will take place on the west side of US 441. During this time, motorists should expect daytime traffic shifts and intermittent lane closures on US 441 southbound to accommodate construction activities.

Motorists should use caution and watch for workers in the work zones.

SR 70 From East of US 441 to Northeast 17^th Avenue: (Construction project) Crews will be working on milling and resurfacing, base work, drainage improvements, curb and gutter, guardrails, traffic signals, signage, pavement markings, lighting, and other incidental construction.

• Crews are performing final repairs and void repair operations, with crews and equipment on-site. Motorists are advised to follow posted signs, anticipate possible delays, and allow additional travel time or consider alternate routes during this work. Intermittent lane closures will be in place in both eastbound and westbound directions as work continues.

• Motorists should use caution and watch for workers in the work zones.

   Anticipated completion is early 2025.

As a reminder, travelers can visit www.FL511.com or dial “511” from their phone to learn about traffic conditions on major roadways across the state.