FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: John Davis or
Steve Jansen, Traffic Section, Lee County DOT
(941)
694-7600
TRAFFIC LIGHT TEST ON SAN CARLOS BLVD. TO BEGIN MONDAY
(FEB. 18)
FORT MYERS, Fla. (February 14, 2001) – Lee County is conducting a 30-day
traffic light test on southbound San Carlos Boulevard near Matanzas Pass Bridge
to see if traffic flow can be improved by using an alternating signal.
The county ran a similar test last July, however this will test the
effectiveness of the plan during the busier tourist season.
The test period will run from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
During the night, the signal will be programmed to operate normally.
Here are the details:
Why is it being done?
San Carlos Boulevard narrows from two southbound lanes to one as it crosses
the Matanzas Pass Bridge. This
results in a merging traffic situation between Prescott Street and Main Street
because most drivers are aware of the merge and move into the left lane north of
Prescott Street.
The problem this leads to is long traffic queues in the left lane while the
right lane is only lightly used. An alternating traffic signal plan for the two lanes is
intended to control the merging traffic and reduce the length of the line of
cars by encouraging more equal use of both southbound lanes at Prescott Street.
If the plan is successful, gridlock and time waiting in traffic would be
reduced and more cars would ultimately be served on Estero Boulevard at Times
Square.
How will it work?
The traffic signal has been modified to have five traffic signal heads on the
mast arm: