Purpose and Need

The purpose of the Immokalee Rd at Randall Blvd intersection improvement is to enhance the overall traffic operations and safety conditions to serve future travel demand while minimizing impacts to the surrounding environment. Based on population and employment growth within the project area and Collier County, travel demand is expected to increase at this intersection. Without the proposed intersection improvements, congestion may increase resulting in travel delay. In addition, Immokalee Rd is critical to the movement of local and regional traffic (including truck traffic) in northern Collier County as it connects to other designated regional transportation network facilities such as I-75, Oil Well Rd (CR 858) and SR 29.

The need for the project is based on the following factors:
Improve traffic operations: According to 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data and projections developed for Collier County, the population is projected to grow from approximately 321,520 in 2010 to 529,340 in 2035, and employment is projected to grow from approximately 128,346 in 2010 to 244,232 in 2035. As a result, traffic volumes are expected to increase by 150% on Immokalee Rd and by 40% on Randall Blvd by 2035.

Enhance traffic mobility and transportation network access: Immokalee Rd is categorized as a second order facility of the Collier-Lee Bi-County Regional Transportation Network. The intersection improvement is anticipated to enhance east-west access and regional mobility, improve the viability of Immokalee Rd, and enhance access and the mobility of goods and people.

Enhance safety conditions: Immokalee Rd is an emergency evacuation route designated by the Florida Division of Emergency Management and Collier County. Intersection improvement will increase the number of residents that can be evacuated, improve access for emergency responders, and enhance access to other parts of the state evacuation route network.

Enhance mobility and multi-modal access: Heavy pedestrian and bicycle traffic exists in the area. The proposed project will improve pedestrian/bicycle access and enhance the performance of transit services operating along Immokalee Rd.

Transportation Planning Consistency

The proposed project is consistent with local and regional transportation plans and is identified in the following transportation planning documents:

• Collier Metropolitan Planning Organization's (MPO) 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) Minor Update
• Collier MPO's Draft FY 2019-FY 2023 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)
• FDOT Adopted Work Program FY 2019-FY 2023 (For PD&E Study)

The FDOT District One will coordinate with Collier County and the Collier MPO to ensure that the project is consistent with the local comprehensive plan and that required project funding is identified in the TIP, LRTP, and State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).

Efficient Transportation Decision Making (ETDM)

At the beginning of the study, a preliminary screening of the project was performed using the Efficient Transportation Decision Making (ETDM) process. The study area was evaluated using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data that contains information related to the natural, social and physical environment. The purpose of this early evaluation is to obtain public and regulatory agency input and identify potential fatal flaws. To learn more about the ETDM process, please visit the following website: https://etdmpub.fla-etat.org/ (#14125 - CR 846(Immokalee Rd) at Randall Blvd Intersection Improvement).

Project Links

ETDM Public Access Site

Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council

 Florida Department of Transportation

 Collier County Government

 South Florida Water Management District