Plant City SUN Trail Connection Study
Overview
The SUN Trail network is a statewide effort to improve Florida’s transportation system by closing gaps in its paved trail system. Currently, Plant City has no connection to the SUN Trail system. The ongoing Plant City SUN Trail Connection Study is an initial effort to address this gap, by identifying opportunities to connect Plant City to the statewide trail network, assessing the feasibility of various trail alignments, engaging with stakeholders, and providing a final report to assist decisionmakers in prioritizing their options.
Public Engagement
On January 22, 2025, the TPO held a successful kickoff meeting with stakeholders to discuss the outreach process. Presenters discussed the existing conditions in Plant City, the study’s timeline and goals, and proceeded to a discussion about potential trail alignments and next steps.
In late March, the TPO circulated a survey to collect public feedback on options to connect Plant City to the SUN Trail system, which closed on April 22nd. At a second stakeholder meeting on May 20th, participants discussed the survey results. Based on public input as well as committee and technical analysis, stakeholders dropped three trail route proposals and agreed on a refined set of alternatives to evaluate in the final phase of the study. Options include two westward routes along Sam Allen Road or US 92, a northward option along Paul Buchanan Highway, and an eastward option to Lakeland and Polk County.
A final study stakeholder meeting, open to the public, was held in person and on Teams on Thursday July 31st, from 10:30am to 11:30am at the Thonotosassa Branch Library. The study results were discussed at the TPO’s committee meetings through August and early September, and on September 10th the TPO Board approved the study. The final study report may be viewed below.
Create your own user feedback surveyDocuments
Final Report – Plant City SUN Trail Connection Study
Stakeholder Meeting #1 presentation
Stakeholder Meeting #2 presentation