FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: John Davis, Chief Traffic Engineer, 694-7600

Phase 2 of Partial Closures of Daniels Parkway To Repair and Replacement of Railroad Crossing

• What:  Phase 2 of the Partial Closure of Daniels Parkway to Repair and Replacement of Railroad Crossing
• Where: Daniels Parkway at the Railroad Crossing, just west of Metro Parkway
• When: Starting July 29, 2003 after 12 PM (Noon) and continuing for at least 1 and a half to 2 weeks (depending on weather conditions)

Details: Starting on July 29th, the eastbound traffic lanes of Daniels Parkway will be closed to all traffic at the railroad crossing, which is just west of Metro Parkway. This closure is necessary for the Seminole Gulf Railway to replace their crossing of Daniels Parkway. The closure is expected to remain in place for a period of one week, but may last longer due to weather or other unforeseen conditions. Westbound traffic will be able to travel across the railroad tracks during this time.

This is the second phase of the partial closure of Daniels Parkway, which commenced with the westbound lanes on July 15th. The work in this second phase will require the closure of these lanes in the eastbound direction. The closure is expected to remain in place for a period of one week, but may last longer due to weather or other unforeseen conditions. Westbound traffic will be able to travel across the railroad tracks during this time. Upon completion of the work in the eastbound travel lanes, the road will be opened to traffic flow in both directions along Daniels Parkway.

Suggested Travel Routes: Due to the nature of the work requiring a complete closure of traffic flow in one direction at any given time, a detour route will be established during the course of construction activity. Motorists are strongly encouraged to find alternative routes other than the marked detour routes. Motorists are also encouraged to consider the timing of their travels, and if they can combine multiple destinations in their trips such that might not have to travel eastbound upon the roads along the detour routes. Motorists traveling to the Southwest Florida International Airport should plan accordingly for possible longer travel times. See attached map for details of the Phase 2 Detour Route.

For the Eastbound Closure of Traffic: The principal detour for eastbound traffic on Daniels Parkway will be from the intersection of Daniels Parkway/Cypress Lake Drive and US 41, south along US 41 to Ben C. Pratt Six Mile Cypress Parkway/Gladiolus Drive and then east along Six Mile Cypress Parkway to either the Metro Parkway or the Daniels Parkway intersections with Six Mile Cypress Parkway. The complete closure will be just east of Morgan La Fe Road on Daniels Parkway. Alternate routes will include US 41 from Daniels Parkway north to Crystal Drive or Danley Drive and then east to Metro Parkway and then south on Metro Parkway to Daniels Parkway.

The annual average daily traffic volumes on the roadways involved are:

Daniels Parkway - 38,100 vehicles per day

Ben C. Pratt Six Mile Cypress Parkway - 33,100 vehicles per day

Crystal Drive - 13,200 vehicles per day

Metro Parkway - 23,000 vehicles per day

US 41 - 41,100 vehicles per day (north of Six Mile Cypress) to 55,400 vehicles per day (north of Daniels Pkwy)  

The distribution in any one direction is about 50% over the course of a day.