Estero Parkway Extension to Connect to 951 still on MPO’s Long Range Plan…

“”The section from Corkscrew Road north to Alico Road remains in the MPO’s plan, actually identified as financially feasible in the 2030-2035 timeframe. “  David Loveland, AICP, Interim Director, Lee County Dept. of Transportation

Only July 14, 2011 I proposed the following question to David M. Loveland of Lee County Transportation: 

Dear Mr. Loveland,

Can you offer an official word as to the status of the county property along the north side of Grandezza and when or if it will be utilized for?

I live in Grandezza since 2006.   I need some direction or clarification if you would be so kind to assist me. 

I understand the the 951 project is/was on the county plan for 2035, and it was recently voted by MPO to nix this project.  It is now supposed to be gone from the regions long range plan, but remains.   My question is, what is the plan for continuing Estero Parkway (EP) along the north side of Grandezza and connecting to Corkscrew or Alico Rd without 951?   Is there such a plan?  If so do you have any details you can offer?

In Grandezza, the rumor of this road, along with realtors requesting signed disclosures for subject road has had an impact on properties on the North side of Grandezza.

Can you please offer some input as to the intentions of the county and the property along the north side of Grandezza? 

Thank you in advance for your time.

D. Michael Burke
Grandezza Resident
 

Mr. Loveland provided the following answer…

Mr. Burke-

As far as the County-owned property on the north side of Grandezza (75-foot wide strip), which we acquired from Stock Development when we purchased the property for the future CR 951 Extension for $22.5 million, we still plan to utilize that property for a future extension of Estero Parkway east from Ben Hill Griffin Parkway to tie into the CR 951 Extension.  As part of that purchase agreement, we were specifically excluded from building anything in the Estero Parkway Extension right-of-way before 2012 or 2013, if I remember correctly.  You correctly surmise that the future timing of the Estero Parkway Extension is tied to the future construction of CR 951 Extension.  As you heard, a portion of the CR 951 Extension was removed from the MPO’s long range plan, but that was the portion from Corkscrew Road south to the Collier County line.  The section from Corkscrew Road north to Alico Road remains in the MPO’s plan, actually identified as financially feasible in the 2030-2035 timeframe.  We (Lee County) don’t have any funds budgeted in our five-year window to design or build the CR 951 Extension between Corkscrew Road and Alico Road, so it is viewed as a long-term project, along with the Estero Parkway Extension.   Although it is possible the Estero Parkway Extension could be built without the full CR 951 Extension, I don’t really think that would happen unless conditions got so bad on Corkscrew Road that we felt we needed a reliever.

I hope this answers your questions.  Please let me know if you need any additional information.

David M. Loveland, AICP
Interim Director
Lee County Dept. of Transportation
1500 Monroe Street
Fort Myers, FL 33901
Office:(239)533-8509
Cell: (239)839-1988

Map was not provided by county… it is my thoughts on how the road(s) may come through, when or if.