POLK COUNTY, Fla. -- Polk County is about to put your feet to the pavement.

  • Budget includes funds for new sidewalks
  • Monthly meetings help officials plan for residents' needs
  • $2.5 million budgeted for sidewalks next year as well 

Five and a half miles of new sidewalks have been approved as part of next year's budget.

Bill Beasley is the county's deputy director of infrastructure and says the new budget item is designed for one thing only -- your safety.

"We think it is important in this county in terms of mobility, safety, school access, a host of different reasons why sidewalks are important,” Beasley said.

Spots like Galloway Road and Swindell Road -- where there is only a partial sidewalk -- made the list of a dozen locations where $2.5 million have been set aside to put some pavement under your feet.

This isn't just a one-time project. It's a program, meaning the $2.5 million for sidewalk repair will be part of the annual county budget.   

Twelve sidewalks (listed below) will get the help this time around. Next year, another group will be repaired.

"We looked at 66 specific location this year that totaled about 35 miles of sidewalk,” Beasley said. "There was about $2.4 million worth of funding. We obviously don't have those kinds of resources, so we prioritized that down."

You may be thinking: How does a specific sidewalk get added to the list?

Every month, there is a meeting dedicated to sidewalk safety.

"So if you have any requests, get them to the county,” Beasley said. “We will get them vetted, get then analyzed and objectively scored through the committee process. And if they have merit in terms of that ranking they will get on that list and they'll get their opportunity for funding."

New sidewalk projects recommended to the Board by the Advisory Committee include the following roadways:

  • Chestnut Road North from Memorial Blvd. to New Tampa Hwy.
  • Idlewild Street from E. Lake Parker Road to SR659/Combee Road
  • Fairway Road from Marigold Avenue to Walnut Street
  • Banana Road from Park Byrd Road to Campbell Road
  • Palmetto Avenue SE from Crews Lake Road to US Hwy. 98
  • N. Galloway Road from Swindell Road to Doreen Drive
  • Clubhouse Road from Lakeland Highlands Road to Live Oak Road
  • N. Rifle Range Road from Eagle Lake Loop Road to Dolly Ben Court
  • Ninth Street SE from Waterside Circle to Cypress Gardens Blvd.
  • Odom Road from E. Daughtery Road to Mary Catherine Court
  • Pine Street from Laurel Avenue at Laurel Elementary to Mackerel Road
  • 30th Street South from E. Hinson Avenue to Hornet Drive at Haines City High School