The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) invites you to a public meeting for the Southwest Connect™ I-75 South Corridor Master Plan from State Route (SR) 951 (Collier Boulevard) in Collier County to SR 78 (Bayshore Road) in Lee County. This Master Plan will lead to the long-term improvement of the interstate corridors in Southwest Florida by identifying solutions that are expected to help move people and goods safely and efficiently while balancing regional transportation needs with community concerns.
For your convenience, FDOT is providing multiple ways to participate:
| ONLINE
February 13-27, 2023 |
IN-PERSON OPEN HOUSE
February 16, 2023 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. North Collier Regional Park, Exhibition Hall 15000 Livingston Road Naples, FL 34109 |
The online meeting includes a virtual tour with multiple interactive stations containing video and other static displays all designed to introduce the project and study process, present information regarding existing conditions, and receive feedback. The in-person open house will provide the same materials and information as the online meeting materials. Comments can be provided through the project website and questions can be answered by calling the FDOT Project Manager, Nicole Harris, P.E., at (863) 519-2335 or via e-mail at nicole.harris@dot.state.fl.us.
In addition, FDOT is hosting a LIVE Question and Answer Event ONLINE beginning at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, February 15, 2023. A registration link for the LIVE Online Q&A event can be found at www.SWFLInterstates.com/south-corridor-vpm.
While comments about the project are accepted at any time, please note that comments must be received or postmarked by Monday, February 27, 2023, to be included in the formal workshop record. A summary of the workshop comments and responses will be available on the webpage approximately 30 days following the close of the comment period.
FDOT is currently analyzing the interstate system’s existing transportation challenges. The findings of the analysis, as well as recommendations to enhance safety and mobility, are documented in a Master Plan. The planned improvements identified in the Master Plan may include widening, managed lanes, modifying interchanges, and/or evaluating new interchanges. The Master Plan will also include public outreach, such as this, which will serve as input in the identification and prioritization of projects to move forward into the Project Development Process. This project is currently in the Planning and Feasibility Phase, the beginning of the process. This long-range approach provides a regional perspective to identify the areas where future demand is predicted. This Master Plan will serve as a guide to allow FDOT to focus future efforts and funding toward the most critical areas first.
FDOT is sending notices to property owners, business owners, interested persons and organizations adjacent to I-75 to provide the opportunity to give comments to FDOT regarding this project (see the attached newsletter). FDOT solicits public participation without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or family status. People who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Cynthia Sykes, District One Title VI Coordinator, at (863) 519-2287, or email at Cynthia.Sykes@dot.state.fl.us at least seven days prior to the meeting.
The Florida Department of Transportation may adopt this planning product into the environmental review process, pursuant to Title 23 U.S.C. § 168(d)(4), or to the state project development process.