Project Description

On May 26, 2021, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) approved the SR 31 State Environmental Impact Report for SR 31 from SR 78 (Bayshore Road) to Cook Brown Road in Lee and Charlotte Counties. This project has now proceeded to the next phase of development.

Babcock Ranch Community Independent Special District (ISD) has entered a progressive design-build contract to implement the interim proposed improvements to SR 31 from SR 78 in Lee County to Horseshoe Road/Lake Babcock Drive in Charlotte County. These interim improvements include building a new four-lane roadway east of the existing SR 31 roadway (in Lee and Charlotte Counties) and will tie-in to the existing two-lane roadway. This interim four-lane road will be expandable to six lanes, from SR 78 in Lee County to Cypress Parkway in Charlotte County. Within Lee County, the existing roadway will become an access road. As part of the interim project, roundabouts are proposed at three intersections. Right of way will be acquired for the roadway between SR 78 and CR 78 (North River Road).

Babcock Ranch Community ISD will manage the design-build project, including both the design and construction phases, with FDOT oversight. FDOT will administer right-of-way acquisition, as well as Construction Engineering Inspection.

Design is ongoing. Construction is anticipated to begin Summer 2024.

PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) invites you to a Public Information Meeting for the State Road (SR) 31 (Babcock Ranch Rd) from south of SR-78 to North of Lake Babcock Drive in Lee and Charlotte Counties.

DATE AND TIME: Thursday, May 23, 2024, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

PLACE: The Field House at Babcock Ranch, 43301 Cypress Parkway, Punta Gorda, FL 33982

FDOT, District One, in cooperation with Babcock Ranch Independent Special District (BRISD) has entered into a roadway agreement contract to implement proposed improvements to SR 31 from south of SR 78 in Lee County to north of Lake Babcock Drive in Charlotte County. The total project length is approximately five miles. The initial project buildout, projected to function through year 2045, will construct an interim condition of four lanes through the extent of the project along with several new signalized intersections and roundabouts to accommodate increased demand from the Babcock Ranch development. The geometry of the interim buildout has been designed with the final condition in mind, which will provide a six-lane facility from SR 78 to Cypress Parkway, and a four-lane facility from Cypress Parkway proceeding north through Charlotte County and harmonizing with the existing facility just north of Lake Babcock Drive.

This will be an in-person meeting only. This meeting will be conducted as an open house workshop featuring graphic exhibits and poster displays of the project corridor with opportunities for discussion with the project team. Additionally, project teams representing the SR 78 (Bayshore Road) from I-75 to SR 31 (444937-1) and SR 31 from SR 80 (Palm Beach Boulevard) to SR 78 (Bayshore Road) (441942-1) Project Development and Environment Studies will be in attendance for information purposes.

Please review the materials on project webpage below before attending the meeting. Materials will be posted by May 20, 2024.