Polo Trail Entrance Off SR-70 Closes to Vehicles for 30 Days Starting Oct. 5

The Polo Trail entrance to State Road 70 will close completely to vehicles starting Monday, Oct. 5, as crews push ahead on the long-running SR-70 widening project. The Florida Department of Transportation says the closure will last about 30 days, cutting off that entry point into the Polo Run community for roughly a month.

FDOT crews will use the closed stretch to finish grading and building the future westbound lanes of SR-70 at the Polo Trail intersection, then tie the entrance back into the roadway. No vehicles will be allowed through the work zone during that time. A detour will be posted, and message boards will go up in the area to direct drivers around the closure.

FDOT expects Polo Trail to reopen in early November, weather permitting. That timeline could slip if storms or other delays hit the schedule, which is common on a project of this size.

This closure is part of the larger project widening SR-70 from Lorraine Road to Bourneside Boulevard, which is turning that stretch of highway from a two-lane road into a four-lane or six-lane divided roadway depending on the section. The work also includes new roundabouts at Uihlein Road, Del Webb Boulevard and Bourneside Boulevard, four new bridges over two Braden River crossings, upgraded drainage, 10-foot shared-use paths and new street lighting. FDOT has set a completion date of summer 2027 for the full project.

Polo Run residents who normally use the Polo Trail entrance to reach SR-70 will need another route for the month the closure is in effect. FDOT has not released the specific detour route locals should follow, so drivers should watch for the posted signage and message boards once the closure begins and plan extra time for the drive.

FDOT has also warned people on foot or bicycle to stay off shared-use paths inside active work zones elsewhere along the SR-70 corridor, even in sections that look finished. Crews say those areas can still have open excavation, fresh asphalt or uncured concrete, and they remain closed to the public until the agency says otherwise.

Stay with Lakewood Ranch Community Website for updates on the SR-70 widening project as it moves through Lakewood Ranch, and join the conversation in our Community Forum to share how the Polo Trail closure is affecting your commute. For more on road work and traffic changes around the area, check out our alerts and community coverage.