Collier County Transportation Division:
Response to Road Improvement Question

In reply to our inquiries regarding the plan for roadways in Golden Gate Estates, we received the following reply. This document is also available in Word format for printing or download. We at GoldenGateLiving thank the department for this feedback.

Immokalee Road ( Collier Boulevard to 43rd Avenue NE)

Construction began on this eight-mile road widening improvement project in September 2003 and is expected to be completed in mid 2008. The purpose of the design is to address the need to improved operation along a congested corridor by widening the existing roadway from a two-lane undivided facility to a divided urban arterial roadway. Plans call for six lanes to be constructed between Collier Boulevard and Oil Well Road, then four lanes from Oil Well Road to 43rd Avenue N.E. where the roadway will transition into the existing two lanes. The eight-mile section is being constructed in a six-lane footprint to accommodate future widening from the median area. The demands for a route which focuses on public safety, provides effective access management and improves existing intersection design is of paramount importance. The project was developed as a vital component in the regional transportation network to accommodate future residential and commercial growth in the area and meet future traffic demands in Collier County . Plans for the project address the construct ability of the roadway, specifically maintenance of existing traffic through the work zone, to enable vehicles to safely traverse the construction zone while maintaining access to local businesses and residents, and protecting those working on the roadway. Upgrades to utilities including increasing pipe sizes, handling storm water needs and canal improvements will need to occur prior to asphalt being put in place. The contractor is committed to keeping same number of travel lanes open during construction that were open prior to construction. When completed, the roadway will include sidewalks, bike lanes, streetlights and a wildlife crossing.

Oil Well and Camp Keais Roads

In June the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) identified a need for widening Oil Well and Camp Keais roads and identified that funding is available to add this project to the Collier County Transportation Division's Five Year Work Program. The county's 2025 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) is also currently in the process of being updated to the year 2030 and adding Oil Well and Camp Keais roads will be part of the process that will involve numerous opportunities for public/community involvement.

From this point, Collier County Transportation Division staff will analyze potential alignments of this project and will undertake a design phase that will determine exact right-of-way needs for the roadway itself and associated storm water retention ponds. The design phase is also when specific measures to address cut-through traffic, noise mitigation and school access will be developed. Collier County staff will work to address the community's concerns during these upcoming alignment analysis and design phases.

Collier County MPO or Transportation Planning staff would be happy to meet with homeowners associations to discuss this project. For long-range planning issues, please contact MPO Principal Planner Chuck Barmby . For information relating to upcoming Oil Well Road and Camp Keais Road alignment analyses or design activities, please contact Don Scott or Joe Quinty. They can be reached at 774-8192 or by e-mail at transportation@colliergov.net.

Wilson Boulevard

There are no definite plans in place to widen existing portions of Wilson Boulevard. A study is currently being conducted to examine potential north-south and east-west connections between the APAC/Brown mine area and Collier Boulevard. Alternatives for both public roads and private haul roads are being considered. Some of the preliminary routes being considered tie into Wilson Blvd., but others do not. A public workshop will be held this fall to review the study's early findings.

Collier Boulevard (CR 951)

Collier County is working jointly with Lee County on the CR 951 Extension Study. The Study is examining potential roadway alignments between Immokalee Road and Alico Road . The CR 951 Extension Study involves a detailed environmental analysis in order to make the project eligible for state and federal funding. It is anticipated that the study will be completed in 2005. For more information on this study, please check out the web site at http://cr951.com.

In addition, design is in progress to widen Collier Boulevard from Golden Gate Boulevard to Immokalee Road . Construction is expected to begin in mid 2005 to widen the existing two-lane facility to a six-lane roadway with sidewalks, bike path and streetlights. This three-mile section will include utility upgrades and storm water improvements.

For more information on any of these projects please contact the Collier County Transportation Division at 774-8192.