Cypress Gardens Blvd is back open in Winter Haven after a crash caused major delays

POLK COUNTY, Fla. — All lanes of Cypress Gardens Boulevard SE in Winter Haven are back open after a crash Thursday morning caused major delays. 

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said a vehicle struck a bicyclist on Cypress Gardens at Old Helena Road. The bicyclist was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. 

The crash occurred on the westbound side of the road, between Overlook Drive and Cypress Gardens Road. 

The eastbound side of Cypress Gardens was down to one lane, according to the sheriff’s office, to enable westbound traffic to ease through the area. 

However, drivers were urged to find an alternate route and avoid the area altogether if possible. 

Traffic was very slow in the area for a couple hours.