As U.S. 98 travels through Central Florida, its cardinal direction changes from east-west to north-south. The state road merges with several north-south highways and even turns north-south as it passes through Polk County. Photo taken 11/16/03.
After U.S. 98 north splits from northbound U.S. 17, this shield assembly is located at the intersection with Florida 60 in Bartow. Photo taken 11/16/03.
Westbound Florida 60 and northbound U.S. 98 split here, at the intersection of Van Fleet Drive (Florida 60) and Broadway (U.S. 98 north) in Bartow. Photo taken 11/16/03.
Northbound U.S. 98 approaches Florida 540 south of Lakeland. Photo taken 11/16/03.
Northbound U.S. 98 enters greater metropolitan Lakeland in Polk County, meeting Florida 540 and Toll Florida 570/Polk Parkway (Exit 10) in Eaton Park. Florida 540 follows Winter Lake Road east to meet Toll Florida 570, then continues east into Winter Haven. Photo taken 11/16/03.
In Lakeland, U.S. 98 approaches Florida 563, which travels south to meet the Polk Parkway (Toll Florida 570) at Exit 5. Photo taken 11/16/03.
Northbound U.S. 98 meets Florida 563 in Lakeland. Photo taken 11/16/03.
Northbound U.S. 98 reaches Interstate 4 in Polk County at Exit 33. U.S. 98 continues north to meet U.S. 301 in Dade City, then angles northwest toward Florida's Panhandle. Use Interstate 4 east to Orlando and west to Tampa-St. Petersburg. This interchange was being upgraded at the time this photo was taken. Photo taken 11/16/03.
