No doubt as Lakeland grows so does its need for more transportation. Just north of the RP Funding Center, a 3-story, $25 million+ proposed transportation hub is being planned that would play host to 384 more parking spaces, buses (both local + inter-city), passenger-rail, ridesharing + more.
Not only would the hub replace the 30-year-old Citrus Connection Center, but it would also be built in a way to handle commuter rails like Sunrail if they decided to come to Lakeland.
Plans include a pedestrian bridge that spans over CSX railroad tracks for people to cross the mixed-use development at the former Florida Tile site and to Bonnet Springs Park.
Here’s the shortened story of what each floor could look like:
First floor
- Bays for local + intercity buses
- Waiting rooms
- Ticketing areas
- Concessions + other conveniences
Second + third floors
- Parking for cars
- Citrus Connection offices
- A bridge over Main St. toward Amtrak + over the CSX tracks
The timeframe for the project is projected over the next 5-10 years + the next steps for approval include getting it into FDOT’s spending plan.