The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is conducting a Project Development and Environment (PD&E) study for the proposed improvement to SR 78 (Pine Island Road) extending from CR 765 (Veterans Parkway) to the west of US 41 in Lee County. The study will evaluate the widening of SR 78 from 4 to 6 lanes, including safety improvements and multimodal accommodations.

SR 78 is a designated Hurricane Evacuation Route and the only access road on and off of Pine Island. The primary objectives include providing additional capacity, enhancing traffic safety and emergency evacuation capabilities, as well as accommodating population and employment growth, and increased freight activity.

Public Involvement is an integral part of the SR 78 Project Development and Environment (PD&E) study. FDOT will use various activities to engage interested parties in the study process and provide several opportunities for public input including an online interactive survey. Public Meetings will be held including an Alternatives Public Information Meeting and a Public Hearing. Newsletters will be sent upon project kickoff, before each public meeting, and after the completion of the study.

FDOT will hold meetings with agencies and stakeholders as needed throughout the study. These meetings will assist the study team with identifying issues, opportunities, and potential transportation solutions for the corridor. Throughout the study process, FDOT will provide presentations to various organizations: interested citizens may request a presentation to their group or organization by using the Send a Comment button.

FDOT invites you to a Kick-Off Meeting for the SR 78 (Pine Island Road) Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study

Everyone who lives, works, and travels in this area is a very important part of this project. FDOT encourages public involvement during the study.

In-Person Option
Thursday, January 16, 2025, from 5 – 7 pm at the Cape Coral Technical College (Flex Room), located at 360 Santa Barbara Blvd N, Cape Coral, FL 33993.

The project team will be available for discussion.

Online Option
Wednesday, January 22, 2025, from 6 – 7 pm.
Register in advance: https://bit.ly/SR78PDEKick-Off

This will include a viewing of the meeting materials and a question-and-answer component with the project team.

How to submit comments:  

You may submit comments in the following ways  

• During the in-person meeting (In-Person Option during the Kick-Off Meeting shown above)
• Online through the project website (use the contact box on the right)  
• Email the project manager (david.turley@dot.state.fl.us)  
• By mail: 801 N. Broadway Ave., MS 1-6, Bartow, FL 33830 

You are able to provide a written comment about the project at any time, but comments must be submitted by Friday, January 31, 2025, to be included in the record for this meeting. You may also call David C. Turley, Project Manager at (863) 519-2255 if you have questions before you submit your comment.  

If you need ADA or Translation Services:  
Persons who require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Cynthia Sykes, District One Title VI Coordinator by phone at (863) 519-2287 or by email at cynthia.sykes@dot.state.fl.us at least seven (7) days before the live meeting you plan to attend.  

The Florida Department of Transportation is required to comply with various non-discrimination laws and regulations, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. FDOT solicits public participation without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or family status. Anyone wishing to express concern about Title VI should contact Cynthia Sykes at the information above. 

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

You are encouraged to participate in the SR 78 (Pine Island Road) PD&E Study Survey available on this project website and during the Kick-Off Meeting. We will use the comments and input we receive from the community to develop and refine alternatives, as the study progresses.

(Click Here to Take the Survey)

If you are interested in being added to the mailing list to receive study information, please use the “Send a Comment” button to provide your information to the project team.

What is a PD&E Study?

A Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study is a phase of the Florida Department of Transportation's (FDOT) project development process. A PD&E Study assists the FDOT in determining the location, conceptual design, and social, economic, and environmental effects of the proposed roadway and other project improvements. The process follows procedures outlined in the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and federal and state laws and regulations. During the PD&E Study process, feasible alternatives are developed for improvement projects. These ‘Build’ alternatives are evaluated based on environmental, engineering, socioeconomic conditions, safety needs, and public input. The need for additional right-of-way for improvements or stormwater will also be evaluated during the PD&E Study phase. The ‘No-Build’ alternative is evaluated throughout the study process. This ‘No-Build’ alternative leaves the existing transportation infrastructure as it is, with only routine maintenance as required for existing facilities. If the study results in a ‘Build’ alternative being selected, the project may proceed to the next phase, which is the design phase.

The basic activities of a PD&E Study include:

Data Collection
The first major work effort is to collect all available data of the study corridor, including existing and planned infrastructure, existing and future land uses, drainage patterns, and environmental resources.

Public Kickoff Newsletter/Meeting
A public kickoff newsletter is mailed introducing the project and inviting the public to attend a meeting providing an opportunity to view and comment on the project’s needs and objectives.

Alternatives Development and Analysis
Once data is collected, the Department develops and evaluates various alignment alternatives, including a ‘No-Build’ alternative. The ‘No-Build’ alternative assumes no improvements. The environmental impacts, social impacts, and costs of these alternatives are quantified and summarized in an evaluation matrix.

Alternatives Public Meeting
Combining the public input with the needs of the corridor, several improvement alternatives are developed and evaluated along with the “No-Build” alternative during the PD&E Study. This meeting presents the environmental and social impacts as well as estimated costs of the viable ‘Build’ alternatives as compared to the ‘No-Build’ alternative. The public is provided with an opportunity to view and comment on the alternatives under consideration. 

Public Hearing
After all public comments are reviewed and the analysis of the alternatives has been refined, a formal public hearing is held to provide a forum for input from property owners and interested parties on the final recommendations. A final decision is not made until after the public hearing.

Final Acceptance
After the comments from the public hearing have been received, considered, and addressed, the project reports will be finalized and submitted to the Office of Environmental Management for Location and Design Concept Acceptance. Once acceptance is granted, the PD&E Study phase of the project will be complete. The phases that follow the PD&E Study are the design of the project, acquisition of right-of-way, if necessary, and construction of the improvements.