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 is planning to host a public Kick-Off Meeting in Early 2025.
 
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.