2021: Estero Boulevard Odyssey
If you are tired of being caught in traffic as a massive overhauling of Estero Boulevard drags on, do not expect an imminent reprieve.
According to Kaye Molnar, who is handling the release of public information for the project for both the county and town, the entire project will not be completed until 2021. For those who may feel this work has been going on forever, they have reason. The town’s work began in 2014, Molnar said.
It is possible that the town side of things, mainly waterline replacement along the side of the roads, could finish by the end of 2020, Molnar said. The county, which is focused on rebuilding Estero Boulevard from Lovers Lane to the south end of the town along with new storm draining, is expected to be done by the end of 2021.
Molnar said Estero Boulevard will remain a two-lane road, with just one lane each way though there will be center turn lanes where feasible, such as one being worked on currently in front of Publix.
The town is funding the replacement of the waterlines, which voters approved in a referendum. They have also been working on a separate sidewalk project from Crescent Family Beach Park to Lani Kai.
The state, meanwhile, is doing survey work for its own project from the Matanzas Pass Bridge on State Route 865 down to Estero Boulevard, Molnar said.
For those looking to keep up with the road work, Molnar referred questions to the updates and weekly plans at RefreshFMBeach.com.
According to the website, the county’s active work zone is from Lovers Lane to Albatross Street. Motorists should expect travel lanes on Estero Boulevard to be shifted from Lovers Lane south to Albatross Street. Two travel lanes will remain open the majority of the time; however, intermittent lane closures may be necessary.
Estero Boulevard improvements
(as per Refreshfmbeach.com)
At Lovers Lane to Strandview Avenue and Publix Lovers Lane to Strandview Avenue, motorists can expect intermittent lane and sidewalk closures for repairs. There will be extensive work around the Publix location to south of Madera Road where southbound traffic is shifted to the center lane while crews reconstruct the roadway, install concrete sidewalk, driveways and curb on the beachside. South of Madera Road to north of Lazy Way, the center lane remains closed while crews install the center lane drainage system and reconstruct the roadway.
Barrier walls or barrels will separate the northbound and southbound lanes. Motorists should expect to make U-turns when accessing properties on the opposite side of the road from the travel lane. Motorists exiting side streets and driveways between south of Madera Road and north of Lazy Way must make right turns onto Estero Boulevard and then make a U-turn.
Waterlines construction
(as per Refreshfmbeach.com)
On Estero Boulevard from Madera Road to Albatross Street Lazy Way to Gulf Drive, traffic is shifted to the beachside for water main installation on the bayside.
At Gulf Drive to Buccaneer Drive, traffic will be shifted to the bayside for water main installation on the beachside. At Estero Boulevard from Albatross Street to the south end of the Island, crews will install water main pipe via underground drilling in the closed southbound lane and right-of way. Access will be maintained for beach side properties. Crews are preparing to move to Albatross Street to perform a series of underground drills from Albatross Street south to Bay Beach Lane.
Contractors for the town are completing restoration work on the following side streets: Madera Road, Aberdeen Avenue ,Williams Drive/Glenview Manor Drive, Lauder Street, Dakota Avenue, Dundee Road, Palmetto Street, Mound Road, Lazy Way, Driftwood Lane and Driftwood Lane. Contractors for the town are also installing storm drainage on Redfish Road, Lagoon Road, Tarpon Road, Buccaneer Drive, Lenell Road and Lagoon Road
Buccaneer Drive to Redfish Road is scheduled to be intermittently closed to through traffic. Crews are preparing to install storm drain inlets and crossings at Buccaneer Drive. Crews are scheduled to start restoration activities on Redfish Road and Tarpon Road.