For Immediate Release

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

UPDATE - August 6, 2003

What: UPDATE on 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

Details of Current Project Status: The closure is expected to remain in place until the end of the week of August 4th. The actual day on which the lanes will re-open to traffic is dependent on weather conditions experienced at the site for the balance of the week. Westbound traffic is still able to travel across the railroad tracks during this time.

Background: Starting on July 29th, the eastbound traffic lanes of Daniels Parkway were closed to all traffic at the railroad crossing, which is just west of Metro Parkway. This closure was necessary for the Seminole Gulf Railway to replace their crossing of Daniels Parkway. This is the second phase of the partial closure of Daniels Parkway, which commenced with the westbound lanes on July 15th. 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.