If you live near State Road 70 in Highlands County, road expansion projects are coming your way. Know your rights as a landowner. If you receive an offer letter from FDOT, you do not have to accept their first offer. Under Florida Law, you do not have to pay for a lawyer; the taking authority (FDOT) must cover all of your legal fees. Contact Peterson & Myers for a free consultation about your property.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), District One, invites you to a public hearing for the S.R. 70 Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study from Jefferson Avenue to C.R. 29 in Highlands County. The public hearing will be held on October 22, 2026, in-person beginning at 5 p.m., and virtually on October 27, 2026, beginning at 6 p.m.The objective of the PD&E study is to evaluate widening the existing two-lane undivided roadway to a four-lane divided roadway. Project improvements associated with widening will also include wildlife crossing features, roadway signing and pavement markings, a shared use path, and the construction of stormwater management facilities, including treatment ponds and floodplain compensation sites.
SR 70 PD&E Study
From Jefferson Avenue to County Road 29
Highlands County
FPID: 414506-1-22-01
How to Participate
The FDOT offers three ways to participate in the public hearing and submit comments: in-person, live online, or by viewing hearing materials on the project website. The same material will be displayed at both the in-person and virtual hearing. While comments about the project are accepted at any time, please note that comments must be received or postmarked by November 9, 2026, to be included in the formal hearing record. IN-PERSON OPTION: On October 22, 2026, the in-person public hearing will be held at the Archbold Biological Center, 123 Main Drive, Venus, FL 33960. From 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., there will be an open house, followed by a formal presentation and comment period beginning at 6 p.m.
LIVE ONLINE OPTION: On October 27, 2026, beginning at 6 p.m., the online public hearing can be accessed through the project’s website or at bit.ly/SR70VirtualHearing. For more information on attending the hearing online, please see the panel on the right.
WEBSITE OPTION: All hearing materials, including the presentation, will be available online by October 15, 2026. Comments can also be provided through the project website. You can learn more about the project here: https://www.swflroads.com/project/414506-1
If you’d like to stay updated on any potential eminent domain projects near you, fill out the form below and we’ll be in touch soon. Or email Elliani Perez at eperez@petersonmyers.com.
To learn more about your rights as a landowner, watch our Eminent Domain Expert, Deborah Ruster, explain eminent domain under Florida law here: