Project Moves Forward

A Public Hearing was conducted for the Interstate 75 (I-75) Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study from north of SR 78 (Bayshore Road) to north of CR 769 (Kings Highway) in  Lee and Charlotte Counties, Florida on May 11, 2006, at 6:00 p.m., at IMPAC University, 900 West Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda, Florida.  The intent of this hearing was to present the preferred project alternatives and allow persons an opportunity to express their views concerning the location, conceptual design, and social, economic, and environmental effects of the proposed improvements.

 The first portion of the hearing was conducted in an informal open house format.  Aerial maps, documents, and other related items were on display for review and attendees could discuss the project and their concerns with members of the project team.  At 7:00 p.m., a twenty-minute formal Public Hearing video was presented.  Attendees wishing to make a verbal statement for the public record were then invited to speak.  Those not wishing to make a public statement were encouraged to fill out a comments sheet.  Written statements or exhibits received post-marked no later than May 21, 2006, became a permanent part of the public record for this project.  Eighty-eight (88) persons attended the hearing.

 The recommended improvements for this project are the result of an extensive study process that included a public involvement program, interagency coordination, environmental studies, and engineering analysis.  Over the course of the PD&E Study, from November 2004 through May 2006, a variety of alternative configurations were evaluated.  The preferred alternative was selected for its ability to effectively address the needs of the corridor by providing additional capacity to meet the projected increase in traffic over the next 30 years, improve safety on I-75, and help meet the social/economic demand of the area.

The recommended improvements consist of widening this segment of I-75 to eight lanes by adding one lane to the inside and one lane to the outside of the existing roadway in each direction (northbound and southbound) for a total of four 12-foot travel lanes in each direction with 12-foot shoulders (10 feet paved) on the inside and the outside of the roadway (see illustration above). Improvements will also be made to the I-75/US 17 interchange.

 Minor ramp improvements may also be added to the other interchanges within the project limits. The need for these improvements is included in the Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and Charlotte County-Punta Gorda MPO Long Range Transportation Plans (LRTPs).

What's Next? 

Following Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Location Design and Concept Acceptance (LDCA), the project will proceed to the next phase of development, the preparation of construction plans.  This project will be designed in two phases.  Phase 1 will add one lane in each direction - for a total of six lanes.  The southern 17 miles (from north of SR 78 to south of North Jones Loop Road) is funded for design in the FDOT 5-Year Work Program for 2006/2007, and the northern 10 miles (from south of North Jones Loop Road to north of Kings Highway) is funded for design in 2009/2010.  No right-of-way or construction is funded for Phase 1.  Phase 2 consists of adding the seventh and eighth lanes, in the future when needed.  This phase is not yet programmed for design, right-of-way, or construction.