Action Alert: Jan. 10th public workshop on LeeDOT's Veterans/Santa Barbara intersection improvements options

Background: In early 2010, LeeDOT initiated a study for an overpass at the Veterans/Santa Barbara intersection in Cape Coral; however, as part of the MPO's deliberations on the 2035 Long Range Transportation Plan in the Fall of 2010, the MPO Board voted to remove from the plan any flyovers along this road for the next 15 years. As a result of this action, LeeDOT revised its study to evaluate at grade options, along with an overpass option and a no-build option.

On December 14th, the County's Community Sustainability Advisory Committee (CSAC) (based on reccommendations from its complete streets working group)recommended to the commissioners the following with respect to this project:
"LeeDOT study and present to the public at future meetings the 'no build' option for the Veterans/Santa Barbara interchange, including i)what other changes could improve traffic flow; ii)a detailed analysis of traffic projections by peak/non-peak hours and days; and iii)present information in a way that clearly outlines the choices between congestion and livability. The LeeDOT study should also factor into each option the implications for pedestrian crossings."
Click here for full report on CSAC recommendations.

Below is LeeDOT's announcement for the workshop:
Public Information Workshop
“OPEN HOUSE”

The Lee County Department of Transportation (LC DOT) is holding a public information workshop for the Veterans Memorial Parkway at Santa Barbara Boulevard Intersection Improvements Project from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at New Hope Baptist Church, 431 Nicholas Parkway, Cape Coral, FL. The public is invited to attend anytime between 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. to view the concept alternatives being considered to improve the intersection. The Lee County project team will be available to answer questions and take comments about the project. The meeting will be conducted in an “open house” format; no formal presentation will be given.

LC DOT has initiated this project to design an improvement to the Veterans Parkway and Santa Barbara Boulevard intersection. The project is intended to relieve traffic congestion now and through the 2035 design horizon, improve safety, and enhance east-west mobility and hurricane evacuation. Lee County is evaluating several at-grade build options, an overpass and a no build alternative for the intersection. All alternatives will consider cost, environmental impacts, impacts to businesses, alternative modes of transportation and safety.

Public Information Workshop
4:30-6:30 p.m. “OPEN HOUSE”
Tuesday, January 10, 2011
New Hope Baptist Church
431 Nicholas Parkway
Cape Coral, FL

NOTE: There will be a second opportunity for public input at the Jan. 18th Cape Coral Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) meeting (made up of 4 council members), when LeeDOT presents the options to the TAC. That meeting starts at 9 a.m. in the Cape City Hall Conference Room.