FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                   
Contact:            Scott Gilbertson, Lee County Transportation Department
(941) 479-8580
 
                               
CORKSCREW ROAD WIDENING IMPROVES EAST-WEST TRAVEL IN SOUTH LEE
 
FORT MYERS, Fla. (Aug. 7, 2000) – Lee County officials and community leaders have dedicated a 1.8-mile widening of Corkscrew Road from two-to-four lanes – marking the completion of a three-year project that will improve east-west travel in south Lee County and provide better access to Florida Gulf Coast University, Miromar Outlet Mall and TECO Arena.
 
The Corkscrew Road Improvements (Phase II) Project runs from Sandy Lane to Interstate 75, cost $3.5 million, and includes median landscaping, culvert replacement and utility relocation.  The first phase of the project – costing $900,000 – made similar improvements from U.S. 41 to Sandy Lane and was completed in March 1998. 
 
The new roadway provides safe public access for vehicles, bicycles and pedestrian traffic from U.S. 41 to Ben Hill Griffin Parkway.
 
The Corkscrew Road Improvements project was made possible through the partnership and collaboration of the Lee County Board of County Commissioners, the Estero Civic Association, the Estero Chamber of Commerce and the Corkscrew Road Service Area property owners.  Through a taxing unit, the CRSA contributed $75,000 to help the county pay for sidewalks along Corkscrew Road from Three Oaks Parkway to Ben Hill Griffin Parkway.