FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Scott Gilbertson or Amy Davies, Lee County Department of Transportation
              (239) 479-8580

COUNTY URGING RESIDENTS TO PREPARE FOR DANIELS CLOSING IN JULY

FORT MYERS, Fla. (June 26, 2003) - Seminole Gulf is planning to replace the deteriorating railroad crossing on Daniels Parkway in mid-July and the Lee County Department of Transportation - which will provide traffic control for the work - is cautioning residents to plan for alternate routes.

The crossing is at Daniels Parkway just west of Metro Parkway and east of U.S. 41.

The project could begin as early as July 15.

During the work, two-way traffic will not be allowed. The north side of the crossing - westbound traffic - will be closed first for about a week and then the south side - eastbound lanes - will be done.

Alternate, detour, routes will be Crystal Drive to the north and Six Mile Cypress/Ben Pratt Parkway to the south.

Flagmen and two-way traffic is not being done because:

• An extra cost of $100,000.
• Extra time (four weeks instead of two) due to the extra work (constructing crossovers in the medians).
• It would cause congestion on both sides of the road (for twice as long).
• It is too close to Metro Parkway for the crossover and therefore would interfere with that intersection operation.
• There is a reasonable detour for the closure.

Lee DOT is giving this advance notice so residents and visitors can plan well ahead of time.

As the project plans are firmed up, Lee DOT will issue more detailed information about the shutdown and alternate routes.