A LITTLE LONGER BEFORE I-4 WORK IS COMPLETED

If you've driven along Interstate 4 in Polk County for the past several months (although it seems much longer), it has been an interesting experience due to the ongoing construction. When everything is completed by late this year (maybe = sarcasm mine), the interstate will be six lanes from the Memorial Boulevard exit in west Lakeland to the Osceola County line.

But it will take a little longer than expected, yet another victim of our 2004 hurricane season. According to the Lakeland Ledger, contractors working on the project report being approximately a month behind schedule and have requested additional time and up to $1.5 million to make up the losses.

Now if they can only get the U.S. 98 project straightened out...driving along that road near and north of I-4 during afternoon rush makes a drive along Tampa's Dale Mabry Highway before a Bucs game seem like a leisurely ride.