Lee County DOT to improve drainage conditions and lower maintenance cost
FORT MYERS, Fla. (April 23, 2013) – Lee County Department of Transportation (LCDOT) began improvements to the Coconut Creek Canal in the Iona-McGregor area today. This is part of a series of improvements being performed around the County as part of LCDOT’s maintenance operations to address drainage and flooding concerns, improve water quality, and allow for more cost-effective on-going maintenance in the future.
The improvements to the Coconut Creek Canal will entail reconfiguring the canal bottom and sides and establishing a stabilized bank on the north side of the canal to allow for yearly access by maintenance equipment. The improvements will be taking place within a County-owned drainage easement from John Morris Road to McGregor Boulevard. The canal rears to three existing subdivisions (Coconut Creek, McGregor Woods, and Lake Candlewood).
Currently, portions of the canal are encountering stagnant water and maintenance is performed using specialized equipment that is expensive to purchase and difficult to keep operational. Completion of the work will improve the flow of water and the water quality, and allow for future maintenance to be completed with equipment that is less costly and more reliable.
The canal is within an 80-foot easement, but LCDOT will only be clearing the areas that are necessary to do the canal and bank improvements. During this process any obstructions, such as trees, that have encroached into the needed portions of the drainage easement will be removed.