OKEECHOBEE – Okeechobee County residents are getting frustrated dealing with traffic delays due to multiple Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) road work projects currently underway.

At the Nov. 6 meeting of the Okeechobee County Commission, Commissioner Terry Burroughs said with construction jobs going on simultaneously, residents are dealing with multiple delays in their daily commutes.

“Somewhere along the line they have to learn to schedule them so they aren’t going on at the same time,” he said.

“People are tired of it. They’re trying to get to work. They’re trying to get home,” Burroughs continued. He said he is concerned the road projects could delay emergency vehicles.

 Commission Chair David Hazellief said they appreciate FDOT funding projects in the county but questioned why they schedule so many projects at the same time.

FDOT road work planned for the week of Nov. 9-15 includes:

• R. 70/700 (U.S. 98) from west of U.S. 98 to east of NW 5th Avenue: Construction project: Crews began milling and resurfacing operations on S.R. 70/700 (U.S. 98) from west of U.S. 98 to east of NW 5th Avenue in October 2025. Work will include milling, resurfacing, and roadway restoration along the project corridor. The estimated completion is early 2026.
  
  
• R. 15/U.S. 441 from SW 23rd Street to SW 28th Street:  Crews will be removing a driveway connection and modifying a drainage inlet and concrete curbing along S.R. 15/U.S. 441 from SW 23rd Street to SW 28th Street. Southbound lane closures will occur during daytime hours from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with traffic reduced to one lane as needed. Work will include drainage inlet adjustments and curbing modifications.   Motorists should use caution, obey posted signage and flagging operations, and watch for workers and equipment in the construction zone. The estimated remaining duration of activities is two weeks.
• R. 15/U.S. 441 from NW 36th St to NE 120th St: Construction project: Crews are performing milling and resurfacing operations along S.R. 15/U.S. 441 from the Martin County Line to SE 30th Terrace. Work will occur during both daytime and nighttime hours. Northbound and southbound lane closures will occur during daytime and nighttime, with traffic reduced to one lane as needed, from NW 36th St to NE 120th St. Both lanes will not be closed simultaneously. Nighttime operations (from 7:30 p.m. to 6 a.m.): Lane closures will take place from NW 3^rdSt to NW 36th St to perform signal, milling, and resurfacing work. Motorists should be aware of changing traffic patterns, heavy equipment, and workers present in the construction zone. Use caution when traveling through the area and obey posted signage and flagging operations. The estimated remaining duration of activities is 4 weeks.

• R. 15/U.S. 441 at SE 28^thStreet: : Crews will be performing curb ramp replacements and installing sidewalk, curb, and gutter. Daytime turning lane closures will occur along US 441 at S.E. 28th Street to accommodate construction activities.  Motorists should be aware of changing traffic patterns, heavy equipment, and workers present in the construction zone. Use caution when traveling through the area and obey posted signage and flagging operations. Estimated remaining duration of activities is 6 weeks. 
• R. 15/US 441 from SW 23rd Street to SW Third Street: Construction project: Crews will perform milling, resurfacing, and pavement marking operations along S.R. 15/US 441 from SW 23rd Street to SW 3rd Street.  Nighttime operations will take place from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.  Intermittent lane closures will occur throughout the project limits during work hours. Motorists should use caution, reduce speed, and watch for workers and equipment in the area. The estimated remaining duration of activities is 4 weeks.

• R. 15/U.S. 441 from Martin County Line to SE 30th Terrace:  Construction project: will begin resurfacing work on S.R. 15 (U.S. 98) from SE 30th Terrace to the Martin County line. The project includes pavement resurfacing, grinding, new pavement markings, and shoulder treatment. Intermittent northbound and southbound single-lane closures will occur during daytime and nighttime, with traffic reduced to one lane as needed. Northbound and southbound lanes will not be closed simultaneously. Crews will perform milling and resurfacing throughout the project limits. Intermittent lane closures will be in place. Motorists should be aware of changing traffic patterns, heavy equipment, and workers in the area. Use caution when traveling through the area and obey posted signage and flagging operations. The estimated remaining duration of activities is 4 weeks. Overall project completion is expected in summer 2026.
• R. 78 from Lemkin Creek to S.R. 15/U.S. 98:  Crews will perform milling and resurfacing operations along S.R. 78 from Lemkin Creek to S.R. 15/U.S. Work will take place during daytime hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Intermittent northbound or southbound lane closures will occur during daytime, with traffic reduced to one lane as needed. Northbound and southbound lanes will not be closed simultaneously.  Nighttime operations will occur from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. at the intersection of Parrot Avenue and S.R. 78 for milling, resurfacing, and pavement marking activities. Milling and asphalt paving operations will take place throughout the project corridor. Motorists should be aware of changing traffic patterns, heavy equipment, and workers in the construction zone.  Motorists should use caution, reduce speed in the area, and watch for workers and equipment in the construction zone. Estimated duration of activities: 6 weeks. Estimated project completion is early 2026.