State Road 865 (San Carlos Boulevard) Public Meeting Tuesday, February 27, 2018

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), District One, will hold a public meeting to discuss the operational analysis study to identify a series of mobility improvements for State Road (SR) 865 (San Carlos Boulevard) from south of Estero Boulevard to County Road (CR) 869 (Summerlin Road), approximately 3.1 miles, in Lee County. www.swflroads.com/sr865/sancarlosboulevard/

The public meeting is from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at the Chapel by the Sea Presbyterian Church, 100 Chapel Street, Fort Myers Beach, Florida 33931.

The purpose of this operational analysis study is to determine locations and types of operational deficiencies that exist along the project corridor and identify specific improvement alternatives that can be developed and evaluated. The goal of the study is to identify ways to reduce travel times on SR 865 (San Carlos Boulevard) during the peak seasons for people getting onto and off of Estero and San Carlos Islands. Adding additional lanes on San Carlos Boulevard may not be feasible, so improvements are needed for all modes of travel including busses and trolleys, cars, bicycles, and pedestrians. In addition to the emphasis on alternative modes of transportation, improvements to safety and accessibility are also an important element of the study.

The proposed project is also intended to promote emphasis for alternative transportation use and to increase public transit ridership. The project will also enhance mobility and safety for vehicular and non-vehicular transportation and increase accessibility and connections between community points of interest.

Traffic volume on SR 865 (San Carlos Boulevard) from south of Estero Boulevard to CR 869 (Summerlin Road) averages about 25,000 vehicles per day during peak season. Traffic is expected to increase to over 31,000 vehicles per day by the year 2040.

Since beginning the study, FDOT has been conducting analyses, meeting with stakeholders, and identifying potential improvements to address the operational deficiencies. Input received to date has been incorporated where feasible. Potential improvements include improved signalization; adding sidewalks and bicycle lanes where currently not present, including the Matanzas Pass bridge and Hurricane Bay bridge; and enhanced transit service.

The purpose of the meeting is to present potential improvements identified by the study team and to obtain comments so that the department can determine which improvements to move forward to the next phase of development. The meeting will be conducted in an informal open house setting. Attendees are encouraged to come to this meeting at any time between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to review the potential improvements. Project information, aerial photographs and poster board displays will be available for review. Department representatives will be available during the meeting to informally discuss the project and to answer your questions. This meeting will give interested people the opportunity to review displays and talk one-on-one with staff. Written comments are encouraged.

FDOT solicits public participation without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or family status. Persons who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or people who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Jamie Schley, District One Title VI Coordinator, at (863) 519-2573 or by e-mail at Jamie.schley@dot.state.fl.us at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Services, 1 (800) 955-8771 (TDD) or 1 (800) 955-8770 (Voice).

The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried out by FDOT pursuant to 23 U.S.C. §327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated December 14, 2016 and executed by the Federal Highway Administration and FDOT.

Project Contact

For more information about the project, please contact Marlon Bizerra, P.E., Project Manager, Florida Department of Transportation at 863-519-2250 or toll-free at 1-800-292-3368 Ext. 2250, or by email at marlon.bizerra@dot.state.fl.us.

Written comments and questions can be mailed to Mr. Bizerra’s attention at Florida Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 1249, Bartow, Florida 33831.

Connect with the SR 865 (San Carlos Boulevard) Operational Analysis Study on the web!
www.swflroads.com/sr865/sancarlosboulevard/