Road, sidewalk and parking improvements at Land O’ Lakes High, 20325 Gator Lane, will make it easier for students, parents, teachers and others to navigate on the campus this year.
The improvements recently were completed — just in time for the start of the 2023-2024 school year, which began Aug. 10.
Gator Lane is just off U.S. 41, also known as Land O’ Lakes Boulevard.
The project added a lane near the high school’s culinary arts building, to provide more stacking space for vehicles, according to Principal Ric Mellin.
An additional lane has been added to allow for left-turn, straight and right-turn movements for vehicles leaving the campus, Mellin said.
There’s also a new sidewalk in front of Building 4 that leads out to U.S. 41 and a new parking lot surrounding the tennis courts, adding approximately 95 spaces.
The first phase of the project was completed in late April.
The earliest work included the installation of a new irrigation well and electrical components within fenced areas near the existing district portables.
After the 2022-2023 school ended, the north lanes of Gator Lane were closed to all traffic while the south lanes remained open for temporary two-way traffic.
The roadway and surrounding areas then were prepared for the additional lanes, and the new parking lot was built.
The project is now entering its second phase, Mellin said.
The school district will be working with the Florida Department of Transportation on this phase, which includes a new traffic signal on U.S. 41 and relocating of the district’s monument sign.
The second phase is tentatively scheduled for completion in January 2024.
Published August 16, 2023
