Florida State Road 540
Encyclopedia
State Road 540 is a west–east route in Central Florida, serving Polk County
. It runs 19.2 miles (30.9 km) from the south side of the city of Lakeland
to US 27
. SR 540 also runs along the future entrance to Legoland Florida
. It is a major route along the south side of Winter Haven
, where it is known as Cypress Gardens Boulevard, and an important link between Winter Haven and Lakeland, the Polk Parkway, and subsequently Interstate 4
and the Tampa Bay area.
. The road intersects the Polk Parkway, then continues eastward as Winter Lake Road until it intersects with SR 17
, a few miles south of downtown Winter Haven. It briefly follows US 17 northward as 4th Street and splits off as Avenue R South.
As the road continues east from downtown Winter Haven, it is more commonly known as Cypress Gardens Boulevard, a tribute to the theme park whose entrance once stood along the road and is now being replaced by Legoland Florida. SR 540 continues from the former site of Cypress Gardens to its eastern terminus at US 27
between the cities of Dundee
and Lake Wales
. Across the intersection from SR 540 is Waverly Road, a much more minor road, which travels further east through the community of Waverly to State Road 17.
and runs west from U.S. 98 to County Road 37B. County Road 540 is commonly known as Clubhouse Road, and the road is generally considered the northern boundary of Highland City.
have put the city within an eighth of a mile of County Road 540's junction with U.S. 98. In spite of the 'A' designation, County Road 540 is a longer road with heavier traffic volume than County Road 540. Widening of the road from two to four lane lanes was completed in 2010, and the road is a major route connecting South Lakeland with Bartow.
The eastern segment of County Road 540A is a loop road with both ends terminating at State Road 540. It begins at U.S. 17 in Eloise just south of Winter Haven where it is cosigned with County Road 655(Snively Avenue). County Road 540A then turns eastward at Eagle Lake Loop Road continuing eastward a few miles before turning north for a few miles near Lake Ruby before ending at State Road 540.
Polk County, Florida
Polk County is located in central Florida between the Tampa Bay and Greater Orlando metropolitan areas. The county was established by the state government in 1861 on the eve of the American Civil War and named after former United States president James K. Polk. The county seat is Bartow and its...
. It runs 19.2 miles (30.9 km) from the south side of the city of Lakeland
Lakeland, Florida
Lakeland is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States, located approximately midway between Tampa and Orlando along Interstate 4. According to the 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimate, the city had a population of 94,406...
to US 27
U.S. Route 27
U.S. Route 27 is a north–south United States highway in the southern and midwestern United States. The southern terminus is at US 1 in Miami, Florida. The northern terminus is at Interstate 69 in Fort Wayne, Indiana...
. SR 540 also runs along the future entrance to Legoland Florida
Legoland Florida
Legoland Florida is a theme park in Winter Haven, Florida. It opened on Saturday, October 15, 2011. Merlin Entertainments Group operates the park which encompasses of the former Cypress Gardens amusement park, making Legoland Florida the world's largest Legoland park.-Announcement:A press release...
. It is a major route along the south side of Winter Haven
Winter Haven, Florida
Winter Haven is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States. The population was 26,487 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2007 estimates, the city had a population of 32,577, making it the second most populated city in Polk County...
, where it is known as Cypress Gardens Boulevard, and an important link between Winter Haven and Lakeland, the Polk Parkway, and subsequently Interstate 4
Interstate 4
Interstate 4 is a intrastate Highway located entirely within the state of Florida, United States. It goes from Interstate 275 in Tampa, Florida to Interstate 95 at Daytona Beach, Florida . It also has the Florida Department of Transportation designation of State Road 400, but only a small...
and the Tampa Bay area.
Route description
State Road 540's western terminus is U.S. 98 (Bartow Road) in southeastern Lakeland. It runs as Winter Lake Road (the name deriving from the cities it connects: Winter Haven and Lakeland), north of Lake Hancock, and by the entrance of Circle B Bar ReserveCircle B Bar Reserve
The Circle B Bar Reserve is located in Polk County, Florida. It comprises at 4399 Winter Lake Road in Lakeland, Florida and is managed as part of the Southwest Florida Water Management District. It is named after the cattle ranch that once occupied the site and was purchased to help maintain the...
. The road intersects the Polk Parkway, then continues eastward as Winter Lake Road until it intersects with SR 17
U.S. Route 17
U.S. Route 17 or U.S. Highway 17 is a north–south United States highway. The highway spans the southeastern United States and is close to the Atlantic Coast for much of its length. The highway's southern terminus is at Punta Gorda, Florida, at an intersection with U.S. Route 41...
, a few miles south of downtown Winter Haven. It briefly follows US 17 northward as 4th Street and splits off as Avenue R South.
As the road continues east from downtown Winter Haven, it is more commonly known as Cypress Gardens Boulevard, a tribute to the theme park whose entrance once stood along the road and is now being replaced by Legoland Florida. SR 540 continues from the former site of Cypress Gardens to its eastern terminus at US 27
U.S. Route 27
U.S. Route 27 is a north–south United States highway in the southern and midwestern United States. The southern terminus is at US 1 in Miami, Florida. The northern terminus is at Interstate 69 in Fort Wayne, Indiana...
between the cities of Dundee
Dundee, Florida
Dundee is a town in Polk County, Florida, United States. The population was 2,912 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 3,008...
and Lake Wales
Lake Wales, Florida
Lake Wales is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States. The population was 10,194 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 11,802 . It is part of the Lakeland–Winter Haven Metropolitan Statistical Area...
. Across the intersection from SR 540 is Waverly Road, a much more minor road, which travels further east through the community of Waverly to State Road 17.
County Road 540
County Road 540 is a few miles south of State Road 540 in Highland CityHighland City, Florida
Highland City is a census-designated place in Polk County, Florida, United States. The population was 2,051 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Lakeland–Winter Haven Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
and runs west from U.S. 98 to County Road 37B. County Road 540 is commonly known as Clubhouse Road, and the road is generally considered the northern boundary of Highland City.
County Road 540A
There are two separate non-continuous segments known as County Road 540A. The western segment is also known as Central Barn Road and is a few miles south of County Road 540 in Highland City and runs from U.S. 98 to State Road 37 (South Florida Avenue). The road is generally considered the southern boundary of Highland City. Annexations in the past decade by the city of BartowBartow, Florida
Bartow is the county seat of Polk County, Florida, United States. Founded in 1851 as Fort Blount, the city was renamed in honor of Francis S. Bartow the first brigade commander to die in combat during the American Civil War. According to the U.S. Census Bureau 2000 Census, the city had a...
have put the city within an eighth of a mile of County Road 540's junction with U.S. 98. In spite of the 'A' designation, County Road 540 is a longer road with heavier traffic volume than County Road 540. Widening of the road from two to four lane lanes was completed in 2010, and the road is a major route connecting South Lakeland with Bartow.
The eastern segment of County Road 540A is a loop road with both ends terminating at State Road 540. It begins at U.S. 17 in Eloise just south of Winter Haven where it is cosigned with County Road 655(Snively Avenue). County Road 540A then turns eastward at Eagle Lake Loop Road continuing eastward a few miles before turning north for a few miles near Lake Ruby before ending at State Road 540.