FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Vanderbilt Beach Road Extension Project 60 Percent Design Plans Public Information Meeting

Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020

4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The Vanderbilt Beach Road Extension Project 60 Percent Design Plans Public Information Meeting, an open house format, will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 17 at the University of Florida/IFAS Extension Office (Multi-purpose Room), 14700 Immokalee Road, Naples, Florida 34120. There will be no formal presentation. Attendees may review the project displays and talk one-on-one with the design team members. 

With the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Department of Health recommendations for social distancing in mind, a limited number of people will be able to enter the meeting room at one time (approximately 30). We are asking community members to sign-up for a specific time by visiting this link: http://bit.ly/COLLIER-PIMVBREXT-NOV2020-REG or by contacting the Collier County Growth Management Department at 239.252.8192 by 8 a.m. on Nov. 17, 2020.  Everyone attending is also asked to wear a face mask.  For those that do not have one, a face mask will be provided.

As an alternative to attending in-person, the meeting displays are planned to be posted on the county’s website at www.colliercountyfl.gov/transportationprojects on Tuesday, Nov. 10, one week prior to the meeting.  Comments may be sent via email to growth.management@colliercountyfl.gov. The public comment period will end Dec. 1, 2020. Public input is very important and is encouraged. 

The proposed improvements include: a new six-lane divided roadway with pedestrian and bicycle facilities extending from the existing Vanderbilt Beach Road  (east of Collier Boulevard [CR 951] to the Curry Canal); a new four-lane roadway from Curry Canal to east of Wilson Blvd.; and a two-lane roadway from Wilson Blvd. to 16th Street NE. Other proposed enhancements include improvements to Massey Street, and to the existing intersections at Weber Blvd., Danbury Blvd., and Douglas Road. New signalized intersections are proposed at Wilson Blvd., 8th Street NE, and 16th Street NE. In addition, plans call for a potential canal relocation (south of the roadway) from 31st Street NW to 15th Street NW, three new canal bridges, and stormwater management ponds.

The reason for the new roadway is to prepare for future growth in Golden Gate Estates, an area the size of Washington, D.C. without the infrastructure. The new extension is planned to help relieve congestion on other arterial roadways and accommodate future traffic volumes. Based on public comments received at the last two public meetings (held in June 2018 and May 2019), potential features such as on-road bike lanes, sidewalks, a 12-foot pathway and intersection streetlights were supported. Construction is planned to start in late 2021. 

Two or more members of the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) may be present and participate at this public information meeting. The subject matter of this meeting may be an item for discussion and action at a future BCC meeting.

Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or other reasonable accommodations to participate in this proceeding, should contact the Collier County Facilities Management Division located at 3335 Tamiami Trail E., Naples, Florida 34112, or 239-252-8380 as soon as possible. Such reasonable accommodations will be provided at no cost to the individual.

For additional information concerning the project, please contact Project Manager Mario Puente P.E. at 239-252-8192 or Mario.Puente@colliercountyfl.gov. News media inquiries may be directed to Community Liaison Connie Deane at 239-252-8365 or Connie.Deane@colliercountyfl.gov.

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