FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Scott Gilbertson, Lee DOT
              479-8580 or
              John Davis or Steve Jansen, Traffic Section
              694-7600

COUNTY REVERSING CHANGES AT SAN CARLOS BLVD., PRESCOTT/BUTTONWOOD

FORT MYERS, Fla. (February 21, 2003) - Lee County is restoring the intersection and approaches to the San Carlos Boulevard/Prescott/Buttonwood intersection near Fort Myers Beach to its original configuration.

The changes that are now being reversed - including an alternating signal and modifications to lane markings - were completed Thursday. However, they resulted in traffic tie-ups, driver confusion and complaints from businesses and residents.

It was decided this morning to return the lane markings and signal to their original configuration and usage. This does not preclude a future discussion about keeping the alternating light, but at this time it also will be changed back.

The signals will be repositioned and the lane markings will be removed this evening, which could cause traffic delays. Work will start at 7 p.m. if traffic is light enough and will take most of the night.

The county ran a similar test in July 2001 and February 2002. While traffic flow, in terms of vehicle delay, was not significantly improved, driver attitudes improved and it apparently reduced road rage. However, those tests did not include modifications to the traffic lane markings, which may be causing the current problems.

The county, with the help of the town, will reevaluate this project based on this latest information.