Action Alert: Attend Feb. 7th public hearing for Able Canal Pathway Project in Lehigh Acres

If you live, work, or play in Lehigh and support the proposed 5.5 mile pathway that will connect Lehigh Acres Trailhead Park, to the Lehigh Acres Community Park and the Harnes Marsh, allowing residents and visitors to bike or walk between these popular destinations, now is the time to make your voices heard. This FDOT-funded project has been in the study/planning phases since 2013, and is now at the stage of a public hearing prior to approval of the location of the pathway along the canal and its conceptual design.  This is your chance to review the proposal and share your views with FDOT, Lee County, and MPO staff.

  It's important that pathway supporters attend this public hearing to show their support for moving forward to implementation of this important project.

Read  BWL's March 2017 blog post for background on the project and BWL's April 2018 blog for background on the open house to review alternatives under consideration.

 FDOT Press Release:

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), District One, invites you to attend a public hearing for the Able Canal Pathway from Harns Marsh to Joel Boulevard (CR 884) project in Lee County, Florida. 

Public hearing:

• Date: Thursday, February 7, 2019
• Time: 5 p.m. Open house
•  6 p.m. Formal presentation and public comment period
• Location: Veterans Park Recreation Center
•  55 Homestead Road South
•  Lehigh Acres, FL 33936

Location of Able Canal Corridor

The proposed improvements consist of constructing a new shared-use pathway along the north side of Able Canal where there is currently no continuous path. This public hearing is being conducted to give interested persons an opportunity to express their views concerning the location, conceptual design, and social, economic, and environmental effects of the proposed improvements.

Draft project documents will be available for public review from Thursday, January 17, 2019 to Monday, February 18, 2019 at the following locations: East County Regional Library, 881 Gunnery Road North, Lehigh Acres, FL 33971 and FDOT District One, Southwest Area Office, 10041 Daniels Parkway, Ft. Myers, FL 33913.

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.

FDOT solicits public participation without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or family status. People who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Cynthia Sykes, District One Title VI Coordinator, at (863) 519-2287, or e-mail at Cynthia.Sykes@dot.state.fl.us at least seven days prior to the public meeting.

If you have questions about the project or scheduled public hearing, please contact Steven Andrews, Project Manager at (863) 519-2270 or by e-mail to steven.andrews@dot.state.fl.us at least seven days prior to the hearing. You can also visit the project website at www.swflroads.com/ablecanalpathway.