Questions & Answers


Below are some frequently asked questions and answers.  If you have a question not listed here, please contact us.

1. Where is the roadway corridor under study located?

The roadway under study extends from Interstate 75 (I-75) in Lee County west along Colonial Boulevard through Fort Myers, across the midpoint bridge into Cape Coral, west along Veterans Parkway, then north along Burnt Store Road into Charlotte County, and connecting to I-75 in southern Punta Gorda.  The 36-mile study route travels through the cities of Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and Punta Gorda.  Please visit the Project Description page for more information.

2. Why is this study needed?  What is the purpose?

This study is being conducted in efforts to improve mobility for the traveling public.  

At present, motorists encounter congestion as they travel along Colonial Boulevard in the very urban City of Fort Myers.  Veterans Parkway, a newly constructed roadway within Cape Coral, will reach its maximum capacity before Cape Coral is fully developed and needs to be improved to support this growing community.  The Burnt Store Road corridor extends between Lee County and Charlotte County, and will also experience growth.  It is currently supporting such growth on a two-lane rural road.  Please visit the Project Description page for more information.

3. What can we expect to learn from the study conclusions?

The study will identify road improvements to meet the long-term travel needs on this transportation route. Preliminary estimates of right-of-way and construction costs will also be developed as part of this study. At the conclusion of this study in 2005, Lee and Charlotte Counties will have information to choose feasible alternatives, and develop a schedule for funding these improvements. Following these decisions, further engineering and design studies will be conducted before construction plans are prepared.

4. When can I attend informational meetings about the project?

The abutting business community owners and renters along the corridor will be asked to review the existing access and proposed access modifications as alternatives are developed.  The tenants and property owners will be notified by mail of the business community meetings.

Workshops will be held with the community at-large to review the conceptual alternatives.  The workshop times and locations will be advertised in your local newspaper.  For the convenience of the community, these workshops will be held in three locations including:  Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and Punta Gorda during the spring of 2005.  Please visit the Community Involvement page for more information. 

5. Will I be able to express my opinion about the proposed improvements?

Yes!  You can express your opinion at any time as well as at the public workshop where the entire study will be presented.  Visit the Talk to Us page to email us your comments or visit the Project Process & Schedule page to find out when the workshop will be held.

6. Who is involved in the study process?

The study corridor travels through several municipalities in Lee and Charlotte Counties.  A task force consisting of representatives from each municipality was created to provide consensus regarding the need, schedule, and improvement of this transportation corridor.  The project team will meet periodically with the task force as the project progresses.  Please visit the Community Involvement page for a list of elected officials serving on the task force. 

7. Who is paying for the study?

Lee County, the City of Cape Coral and Charlotte County are funding this transportation corridor study. 

8. When will the study be completed?

The study is presently scheduled to be completed during the Spring of 2005.

9. Will the study consider pedestrian connections?  Will the study help to make the corridor more livable?  Will there be landscaping in the median and along the sides of the roadways?

The study will include a review of local land development regulations and design criteria to ensure that any and all roadway improvements will meet the standards of each jurisdiction.  Federal and state guidelines must also be followed to as roadway improvements are designed and implemented.

10. Will the proposed roadway improvements have any impacts to the area?

As conceptual alternatives are developed, the study will examine social, natural, and physical impacts associated with these roadway improvements.  Social impact analysis includes such elements as archaeological sites, historical sites, visual and aesthetics, utilities, and residential/business relocation.  Natural impact analysis includes such elements as wetlands, water quality, aquatic preserves, and wildlife habitat.  Physical impact analysis will include contamination screening.

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