A Look Into The Future
In 2003, the Florida Department of Transportation (DOT) approved a plan to widen Interstate 75 to ten lanes in portions of Collier and Lee Counties. The ten lanes include “general purpose” lanes, operating much as the existing lanes do today, as well as lanes for express traffic. The plan calls for phased construction of the new lanes. Under phase one, Florida DOT plans to construct one new lane in each direction from Golden Gate Parkway to Colonial Boulevard. Each new lane would be constructed to the inside of the existing lanes in the median. Construction is scheduled to start later this year and be complete by late 2010. A total of $470 million in State and Federal dollars is budgeted for the project.
According to a traffic study performed within the last few months, when the two new lanes open in 2010 some sections of I-75 will have Levels of Service E, which is below the regionally adopted Levels of Service for I-75. This means motorists will travel at speeds well below the posted speed limits and experience frequent “stop and go” traffic. The situation will continue to deteriorate over time. Two separate traffic studies indicate that by 2015, between Immokalee Road and Colonial Boulevard, I-75 will experience Levels of Service E & F. Conventional State and Federal funding sources will not be available through at least 2030 to widen I-75 beyond the currently planned expansion to 6 lanes. Unless some alternative funding source such as tolls is used, Southwest Florida motorists will experience unacceptable congestion and delays on I-75 for at least two decades.
Public Involvement Program Underway
Public input and support is essential for the advancement of the 10-laning of I-75. The Southwest Florida Expressway Authority has initiated a Public Involvement Program to provide information about the I-75 Express Toll Lanes concept and to receive input from Southwest Florida citizens. Please fill out the public opinion questionaire today.