Lee County contracted with Johnson Engineering to prepare plans for the Corkscrew Road Widening Project. Foremostly, the project spans from Ben Hill Griffin Parkway to Alico Road, a distance of 4.4 miles. Currently, Corkscrew Road is a two-lane east-west arterial. Moreover, the design of the Corkscrew Road Widening Project improvements will consist of two phases. Firstly, Phase 1, Ben Hill Griffin Parkway to Bella Terra Boulevard. Phase 2 expansion will begin between Bella Terra Boulevard and Alico Road once Phase 1 finishes. Phase 1 design completed and construction started in 2021. Currently, Phase 2 is 90% complete according to the original design plans, and we are now finalizing the permitting process.
Phase 1: Corkscrew Road Widening
Ultimately, the Construction of Phase 1 of the Corkscrew Road Widening Project will include six lanes from Ben Hill Griffin Parkway to Fire House Lane. Corkscrew Road is transitioning to a four-lane roadway and extend to east Bella Terra Boulevard. In the future, the portion of the roadway from Fire House Lane to Bella Terra Boulevard will be expandable to six lanes. Following construction of Phase 1, Phase 2 construction will be four lanes from Bella Terra Boulevard to Alico Road.
The roadway medians will vary from 22 to 44 feet. There will be 11-foot-wide lanes and 4-foot-wide on-road bike lanes.
Correspondingly, The Village of Estero is planning to incorporate 10-foot-wide pathways on both sides for the entire limits within the Village boundaries, Ben Hill Griffin Parkway to the east side of Grandezza, on the north side and from Ben Hill Griffin Parkway to the east side of Bella Terra on the south side. The Village Council will determine the details for the pathway, lighting and landscaping. This work will likely occur after the roadway work is complete as it will require easements and permitting.
Phase 2: Corkscrew Road Widening
Eventually, Phase 2, from Bella Terra to Alico Road, Lee County will install core-level landscaping and street lighting. Consequently, a 10-foot-wide shared-use path will be constructed on the south side of the roadway and a 6-foot-wide sidewalk on the north side of the roadway
FAQs
1. What is the Corkscrew Road Widening Project?
- The Corkscrew Road Widening Project is a major infrastructure project in Estero, Florida, aimed at expanding Corkscrew Road from Ben Hill Griffin Parkway to Alico Road. The project will widen the road from its current two lanes to six lanes in certain sections and four lanes in others.
2. How long is the stretch of Corkscrew Road being widened?
- The project covers a 4.4-mile stretch from Ben Hill Griffin Parkway to Alico Road.
3. What are the phases of the Corkscrew Road Widening Project?
- The project is divided into two phases:
- Phase 1: Ben Hill Griffin Parkway to Bella Terra Boulevard, with six lanes from Ben Hill Griffin Parkway to Fire House Lane, transitioning to four lanes from Fire House Lane to Bella Terra Boulevard.
- Phase 2: Bella Terra Boulevard to Alico Road, with a four-lane roadway.
4. When did construction begin, and what is the current status?
- Construction for Phase 1 began in 2021. The design and permitting for Phase 2 are 90% complete.
5. What are the key features of the widened Corkscrew Road?
- The widened road will have medians varying from 22 to 44 feet, 11-foot-wide lanes, 4-foot-wide on-road bike lanes, and pathways. A 10-foot-wide shared-use path will be constructed on the south side, and a 6-foot-wide sidewalk on the north side.
6. Will there be any landscaping and lighting added?
- Yes, Phase 2 includes core-level landscaping and street lighting along the roadway. The Village of Estero is also planning additional pathways, lighting, and landscaping, to be implemented after the roadway construction is completed.
7. What will happen to the existing two-lane road?
- The existing two-lane road will be expanded to four or six lanes depending on the section, improving traffic flow and accommodating future growth in the area.
8. Who is responsible for the project?
- Lee County has contracted Johnson Engineering to design and manage the Corkscrew Road Widening Project.
9. Will there be bike lanes and pedestrian pathways?
- Yes, there will be 4-foot-wide on-road bike lanes, a 10-foot-wide shared-use path on the south side, and a 6-foot-wide sidewalk on the north side of the roadway.
10. What is the expected completion date for the project?
- The timeline for project completion depends on the construction progress of each phase. As of now, Phase 1 is under construction, and Phase 2 is in the final stages of design and permitting.
11. How will the project affect traffic during construction?
- There may be temporary traffic disruptions during construction, but the overall goal is to improve traffic flow and safety in the long term.
12. How will the project benefit the community?
- The Corkscrew Road Widening Project will enhance traffic capacity, reduce congestion, improve safety, and provide better pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure, accommodating the growing population in the Estero area.
