Project News...
The project team and Lee County Department of Transportation staff are making the final recommendation for the Sunshine Boulevard extension as the No-Build alternative. The No-Build alternative assumes that the Lee County Department of Transportation will not be making improvements to extend Sunshine Boulevard to SR 80. This recommendation is based on the evaluation of public input, environmental impacts, community impacts and construction cost. The No-Build Alternative is recommended as the preferred alternative after weighing the benefits of the roadway improvements against the impacts.
Sunshine Blvd. Extension Study
The Lee County Department of Transportation (LC DOT) is conducting a Corridor Alignment Study in East Lee County. The Sunshine Boulevard extension study area begins in Lehigh Acres at 59th Street West north to State Road 80. Public involvement is a very important part of this project. There will be many opportunities for public input during the course of the project. Several small group, community and public meetings will be held to solicit public input.
Purpose Of This Project
The Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization or MPO is responsible for conducting a continuing, cooperative, and comprehensive transportation planning process for all of Lee County. It must plan for the movement of both people and goods within the county by all modes of travel--including highways, public transportation, bicycles, and pedestrian. In order for them to be eligible for federal funds, federal law requires that the MPO endorse a transportation improvement program and set priorities identifying the projects to be done over the next few years. The Sunshine Boulevard Extension was first addressed in the 2030 update which was adopted December 7, 2005.
The objective of the study is to develop a transportation facility that is economically efficient and environmentally sound. The study will document the need for improvements, the procedures used in the evaluations, and the results of the environmental and engineering analyses. These analyses will be conducted to assist the LC DOT in reaching a decision on the location and conceptual design for the long-range improvements for a new north-south transportation facility from Lee Boulevard to S.R. 80.