The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District One is preparing the design of improvements along State Road (SR) 865 (San Carlos Boulevard) from Estero Boulevard to north of Hurricane Bay Bridge, approximately one mile, in Lee County.
Several alternatives were presented at a Public Meeting held February 27, 2018 at the Chapel by the Sea Presbyterian Church, 100 Chapel Street, Fort Myers Beach, Florida 33931. The design is proceeding consistent with recommended alternatives Beach Alternative 1 and Island Alternative 2 from the December 2018 Operational Analysis Report.
FDOT is coordinating with the Town of Fort Myers Beach, Lee County and LeeTran on the design of improvements throughout the project limits and at the intersection of San Carlos Boulevard and Fifth Street. Two projects will be implemented via the FDOT Local Agency Program (LAP) process. Lee County is developing plans for a new traffic signal at the intersection of Estero Boulevard and Crescent Street. The Town of Fort Myers Beach is developing plans for a new traffic signal at the intersection of Estero Boulevard and Old San Carlos Boulevard. The Matanzas Pass Bridge will be widened to accommodate a new shared-use path along the west side of the bridge. The existing southbound Bus/Bicycle-Only lane will be converted to a general use travel lane.
San Carlos Boulevard from Main Street to Hurricane Bay Bridge will be restriped to accommodate bicycle lanes in each direction of travel. The existing southbound Right-Turn-Only lane approaching Main Street will be converted to a general use travel lane that will continue across the Matanzas Pass Bridge. A new traffic signal will be constructed at Main Street. The traffic signal at Prescott Street / Buttonwood Drive will be modified to operate in alternating signal mode only when traffic backups are detected on the Matanzas Pass Bridge.
The Hurricane Bay Bridge will be modified to accommodate bicycle lanes in each direction of travel and a barrier-protected sidewalk along the west side of the bridge. The Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study is running concurrently with the design. 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.
The attached newsletter with project updates was mailed to property owners and tenants within 300 feet on either side of the project area.
For more information about the project, please contact D’Juan Harris, FDOT Project Manager at (239) 225-1976 or D’Juan.Harris@dot.state.fl.us.