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Florida 78

Florida 78 exists in several segments in its 106.10 mile trek through Lee, Hendry and Glades Counties in southwest Florida. A county-maintained Lee County 78 begins on Pine Island, pushing east 5.40 miles before becoming a state maintained route through Cape Coral and North Fort Myers, ending at Florida 31. A second county-maintained segment begins 1.30 miles to the north and extends east, parallel to the Caloosahatchee River, through the community of Alva to Florida 29 in La Belle. A second state maintained Florida 78 segment begins 3.40 miles north along Florida 29 and travels east through Citrus Center to U.S. 27 where the two routes share a four mile multiplex before Florida 78 departs to the north for the remaining 34.20 miles to Okeechobee and its terminus at U.S. 98 & U.S. 441.

Florida 78 East (Lee County)
Reassurance marker after the intersection with U.S. 41. Brown Road is shown in the distance and provides motorists a shortcut from northbound U.S. 41 to Florida 78 (Pine Island Road) eastbound. The intersection with Business U.S. 41 lies 1.10 miles further east. Photo taken 01/02/07.
The first of two traffic signals between U.S. 41 and Business U.S. 41, Woodward Avenue stems north from Florida 78 to serve the Palmona Park subdivision. A Wal-Mart based shopping center lies to the south. Photo taken 01/02/07.
Piney Road constitutes the second traffic signal along Florida 78 between U.S. 41 and Business U.S. 41. Piney Road stretches one mile south and connects with Pondella Road (Lee County 78A) just east of its intersection with U.S. 41. Photo taken 01/02/07.
Approaching the intersection with Business U.S. 41, commonly known as Tamiami Trail. Photo taken 01/02/07.
Until the early 1960's, this was the main highway between Punta Gorda and Fort Myers. This portion of the Tamiami Trail carried U.S. 41 banners until it was moved to its current location 1.10 miles to the west. Photo taken 01/02/07.
Business U.S. 41 (unsigned Florida 739) constitutes a six lane arterial with a center turn lane south of the intersection with Florida 78 and a four lane divided arterial to the north of Littleton Road. Florida 78 east of Business U.S. 41 changes names from Pine Island Road to Bayshore Road. The span wired overhead assembly originally displayed colored shields but has since been replaced with carbon copies, exchanging the coral color with a solid black. Photo taken 01/02/07.
The traffic light at the intersection with Business U.S. 41 still reflects damage that occurred with hurricane Charley in August 2004. Photo taken 01/02/07.

Florida 78 East (Glades & Okeechobee Counties)
Florida 78 prepares to merge onto U.S. 27 east for its four mile multiplex. The town of Palmdale lies 10.50 miles to the northwest. Palmdale is home to one of the state's first alligator attractions, Gatorama, which opened in 1957. Nearby Florida 29 also sees its northern terminus in the small town. Photo taken 03/12/06.
U.S. 27 is the only major thoroughfare stemming from the Miami metropolitan area that provides direct access to the town of Sebring, Lake Wales and Haines City in the central part of of the state. Photo taken 03/12/06.
Reassurance assembly for Florida 78 and U.S. 27. Both highways share pavement for four miles between Palmdale and Moore Haven. Moore Haven lies six miles to the east. Photo taken 02/16/08.
Approaching the eminent departure of Florida 78 from U.S. 27. The two highways separate one mile west of Moore Haven, the county seat of Glades County. Photo taken 02/16/08.
A second set of junction markers precipitate Florida 78's turn to the north. The communities of Lakeport and Okeechobee are used as destination points. Photo taken 02/16/08.
Florida 78 leaves U.S. 27 and begins its north and northeastward ascent around the western edges of Lake Okeechobee. Even though the route is bannered east and west, its alignment runs in a north and northeastward pattern towards its final destination at U.S. 98 & 441 in Okeechobee some 37.40 miles away. The Brighton Indian Reservation can be reached by taking Florida 78 east 13.30 miles to Glades County 721. Photo taken 02/16/08.
Reassurance marker for eastbound Florida 78 as it begins its northern ascent. The fishing communities of Lakeport and Buckhead Ridge lie 9.70 miles and 28.20 miles away, respectively. Photo taken 03/12/06.
A random reassurance marker for Florida 78. Most of Florida 78 between U.S. 27 and Okeechobee was rehabilitated in the early 1990's to include wider bridges, shoulders and guardrails where needed. Before the improvements, this was a narrow two-lane highway with no shoulders and several dips and bumps, making passing an almost impossible feat. The Herbert Hoover Dike can be seen to the east. The 30 foot high dike was built to contain the waters around Lake Okeechobee after devastating hurricanes in 1926 and 1928. Photo taken 03/12/06.
Entering the small fishing community of Lakeport. Photo taken 03/12/06.
Approaching Glades County 74. The county-maintained road exists for only 3.50 miles before transitioning into a graded road. Photo taken 03/12/06.
Glades County 74 serves the majority of the full and part-time residents of the lake community. Photo taken 03/12/06.
Reassurance marker east of Glades County 74. Florida 78 maintains a 50 MPH speed limit through the community. Photo taken 03/12/06.
Approaching the first of three intersections with Glades County 721 (Loop Road). This southern portion of Glades County 721 follows a former alignment of Florida 78 before a straighter alignment was constructed to the north. Photo taken 03/12/06.
Glades County 721 (Loop Road) spokes out to the east and loops back to the north to terminate at Florida 78 two miles down the road. Photo taken 03/12/06.
A reassurance marker for Florida 78 after Glades County 721. Note the use of a different design specification for the state outline within the shield. Photo taken 03/12/06.
Approaching the second of three intersections with Glades County 721 (Loop Road). Photo taken 03/12/06.
A reassurance marker east of Glades County 721. Less than a half-mile of asphalt and a canal separate the southern portion of Glades County 721 with the northern portion. Photo taken 03/12/06.
Approaching the final intersection with Glades County 721. The Harney Pond canal bridge is seen in the distance. The Harney Pond canal is one of several canals branching from Lake Okeechobee to aid in maintaining safe levels of the lake. Photo taken 03/12/06.
Glades County 721 extends north to serve the Brighton Indian Reservation. The 16.20 mile county road ends 16.20 miles to the north at Florida 70 near the community of Brighton. Photo taken 03/12/06.
Florida 78 east of Glades County 721. Okeechobee lies 21 miles to the northeast. Though not mentioned, the fishing community of Buckhead Ridge is located 15.0 miles ahead. Photo taken 03/12/06.
The majority of Florida 78 is cascaded with rural landscapes including sugar cane fields and traditional cattle grazing fields, such as seen in the distance. Photo taken 03/12/06.
Approaching Glades County 78B. This short spur route of Florida 78 serves the fishing community of Buckhead Ridge. Photo taken 03/12/06.
Reassurance marker east of Linda Road on the eastern side of Buckhead Ridge. The Kissimmee River is a half-mile ahead. Photo taken 03/12/06.
Florida 78 crosses over the Kissimmee River and enters Okeechobee County. In the 1960's through the early 1970's, the river was channelized by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers by creating a 30 foot deep and 300 foot wide drainage canal stretching 56 miles. But by doing so, it adversely effected the natural habitats in the area, especially fishing. Efforts began in 1997 to restore the river to its original flow to reverse these damaging effects. Photo taken 03/12/06.
Another reassurance marker after the Kissimmee River bridge crossing. The eastern terminus of Florida 78 is 4.70 miles ahead at the intersection of U.S. 98 & 441. Photo taken 03/12/06.
Reaching the northern tip of Lake Okeechobee and the outskirts of Okeechobee, Florida 78 approaches its impending terminus with U.S. 98 & 441. Photo taken 03/12/06.
Northbound U.S. 98 & 441 beelines to downtown Okeechobee 3.20 miles away. Motorists continuing straight merge onto southbound U.S. 98 & 441 to continue around the eastern portion of Lake Okeechobee on their way to West Palm Beach, still 70.60 miles to the southeast. Photo taken 03/12/06.
A shield assembly with an END banner for Florida 78. END banners for state maintained routes in Florida are not a commonality, other than on the southeast coast. Photo taken 03/12/06.
Florida 78 West
No photos at this time.
Scenes pertaining to Florida 78
Florida 78 reaches its first eastern terminus at Florida 31 in Lee County. The Lee Civic Center lies at the northwest corner of this intersection. A Lee County 78 trailblazer points motorists north onto Florida 31 for those wanting to continue on the county maintained route. Its intersection with Florida 31 lies two miles to the north. Photo taken 12/03/03.
Approaching Business U.S. 41 (unsigned Florida 739) in North Fort Myers. Florida 78 to the east of Business U.S. 41 (Tamiami Trail) is referred to as Bayshore Road and Pine Island Road to the west. The Shell Factory is located 1.80 miles to the north along Business U.S. 41. Photo taken 12/03/03.

Page Created February 19, 2009.