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/

Public Hearing for Six Mile Cypress Parkway/Gladiolus and US 41 Intersection Improvements Project

FDOT announces a public hearing about plans to improve Lee county's most dangerous intersection. The meeting will be held on Thursday, August 17, 2017, at the Florida Southwestern State College. All interested parties are invited to attend.

Fort Myers, FL -- The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), District One, is holding a public hearing about design plans to improve the intersection of Six Mile Cypress Parkway/Gladiolus Drive (SR 865) and US 41 in Lee County. The hearing will be held on Thursday, August 17, 2017, at the Florida Southwestern State College, 8099 College Parkway, Building AA, Room 177, Fort Myers, FL 33919.

There will be an open house at 5 p.m. during which staff will be available to discuss the project and answer questions, followed by the formal hearing presentation at 6 p.m., after which participants may provide verbal or written comments. People attending the meeting can review project displays and speak one-on-one with project team members about the proposed capacity and safety improvements to Six Mile Cypress Parkway/Gladiolus Drive (SR 865) and US 41.

The project will add an additional westbound through lane on Six Mile Cypress Parkway, increase capacity of the eastbound turn lanes, and improve the pedestrian crossings at the intersection. As part of these improvements, the closure of the eastbound left turn entrance for the Parker Promenade shopping plaza west of the intersection is being considered. The estimated construction cost is $2.1 million and construction should begin during the summer of 2018.

The draft project documents and other information will be available for public review from July 27 through August 28, 2017 at the Lakes Regional Library, 15290 Bass Road, Fort Myers, FL 33919.

FDOT developed this meeting in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related statutes. Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability or family status.  Persons wishing to express their concerns relative to FDOT compliance with Title VI may do so by contacting Jamie Schley, FDOT District One Title VI Coordinator by phone at 863-519-2573, or via email at Jamie.Schley@dot.state.fl.us.

People requiring special accommodations pursuant to the Americans with Disability Act of 1990 or people that require translation services (free of charge) at the meeting should contact project manager, Randy Lachler at 863-519-2548 or by e-mail to Randy.Lachler@dot.state.fl.us at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact us by using the Florida Relay Service, 1-800-955-8771 (TDD) or 1-800-955-8770 (Voice).

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December 15: Public Kickoff Meeting for the Able Canal Pathway Project

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), District One, is holding a Public Kickoff Meeting for the Able Canal Pathway Project Development & Environment (PD&E) Study from Harns Marsh to Joel Boulevard (CR 884) in Lee County.

The public is invited to attend the meeting anytime from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 15, 2016, at the Veterans Park Recreation Center, 55 Homestead Road South, Lehigh Acres, FL 33936.

The proposed shared-use pathway will traverse the north side of Able Canal in Lehigh Acres. The pathway will be approximately 5.58 miles in length. The purpose of the pathway is to facilitate the use of viable, non-motorized travel options for commuters and recreational users in the Able Canal corridor and within the Lehigh Acres community. The intent is to provide connections between nearby residential areas and Lehigh Acres park facilities. Numerous amenities will be considered, such as signing, knowledge stations, boardwalks, and pedestrian bridges.

The meeting is an open house with no formal presentation. People attending the meeting may review project displays and aerial photographs and speak one-on-one with project team members. This meeting will give interested persons an opportunity to express their views concerning the location, conceptual design, and social, economic, and environmental effects of the proposed improvements.

FDOT is sending notices to all property owners located at least 300 feet on either side of Able Canal within the project limits, as well as to public officials, organizations, and people interested in the project. FDOT welcomes and appreciates everyone’s participation in the project. 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 persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact FDOT Project Manager Patrick Bateman, E.I., at least seven days prior to the meeting at (863) 519-2792, toll free at 1-800-292-3368, extension 2792, or by email at patrick.bateman@dot.state.fl.us.

For more information about the Able Canal Pathway PD&E Study, please visit the project website at www.swflroads.com/ablecanalpathway.