Construction to begin South Florida Avenue's “road diet” has been temporarily postponed, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. The project was scheduled to start this week.

LAKELAND — South Florida Avenue's recent lighter-than-average appearance — as coronavirus keeps drivers at home — will only stave off a diet for so long.

Construction to begin South Florida Avenue's “road diet” has been temporarily postponed until April 27, according to Brian Rick, Florida Department of Transportation spokesman. The project was scheduled to start this week.

Rick said the state's contractor, Hubbard Construction Company, has requested an additional 15 days of flex time to begin construction.

“Our staff will continue to reach out to residents and businesses throughout the community to ensure they are kept informed about the progress of the project,” he said.

FDOT previously canceled an open house on South Florida Avenue's upcoming construction slated for March 30 at the RP Funding Center. Rick said the public event will not be rescheduled.

The South Florida Avenue “road diet” will reduce the Dixieland corridor from five lanes to three — one travel lane in each direction with a center turning lane. The $1.7 million project will impact the area from Lime Street south to Ariana Street.

Rick said the one-year trial period is expected to begin around October and last through October 2021. Data will be collected during the test period to be analyzed and compared against the baseline traffic numbers collected earlier this year to determine the project's overall success or failure.

A FDOT study has predicted the road diet would cause an approximately 17- to 50-second delay for motorists traveling through the modified section of South Florida Avenue.

More information on the upcoming South Florida Avenue road diet can be found on the FDOT's project website at bit.ly/LakelandRoadDietTest.

Sara-Megan Walsh can be reached at swalsh@theledger.com or 863-802-7545.