Winter 2017 Why Are We Here? Bridge was built in 1965 and is now - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Winter 2017

Why Are We Here?

 Bridge was built in 1965 and is now over 50 years old  Big Carlos Bridge replacement programmed in FY20‐21  First step is a Project Development & Environment Study

(PD&E)

 Next steps include design then construction

What is a PD&E Study?

The Project Development & Environment (PD&E) Study follows all procedures in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 and Federal and State laws and

• regulations. These include:

 Data collection  Alternatives Analysis (including the no‐build/rehabilitation

alternative)

 Public and agency involvement  Selection of preferred alternative

Data Collection

Involves gathering information needed to develop/evaluate various alternatives. Some of the data gathered includes:

 Traffic counts  Crash records  Existing roadway conditions  Identification of wetlands  Threatened/Endangered species habitat  Existing land use and property information  Existing drainage systems and drainage patterns  Contamination sites  Archeological/Historical sites

Alternatives Analysis

 Engineering alternatives developed  Input obtained from public, local

governments and environmental agencies

 No‐build alternative remains viable

alternative throughout the study

 Alternatives evaluation for

community/environmental impacts/costs

Selection of Preferred Alternative

 Preferred build alternative and no build alternative will be

presented at BoCC public meeting to solicit further comments and input

 Final documentation will be submitted to the Florida

Department of Transportation for approval

 Then project can advance to the design, right‐of‐way

acquisition and construction phases if funded

Bridge Elements/Alternatives

 Typical Section

 Existing typical two 13’ lanes + two 3’ sidewalks  New typical section will be evaluated

 Vertical Alignment

 Bascule (Drawbridge)

 Low‐Level  Mid‐Level

 Fixed‐Span

 High‐level

 Horizontal Alignment

 South  North

Alternatives

65’ HIGH 65’ HIGH LEVEL LEVEL FIXED FIXED 45’ MID LEV 45’ MID LEVEL BASCUL BASCULE (DRA (DRAWBRIDGE) WBRIDGE) 21 21’ L LOW L LEVEL B BASCULE (DRA (DRAWBRIDGE) WBRIDGE) Location of Location of Channel Channel MV MVC

Horizontal Alignment 1 – Southern Concept

Horizontal Alignment 2 – Northern Concept

Public Involvement Process

 Newsletters  Project Website  Public Information Meetings

 Alternatives Public Meeting  Public Hearing

 Individual/Small Group Meetings

 Meetings with HOAs  Meetings with private marinas

 Community Events

 Lovers Key Outdoor Adventure Day & Exploration Walk  Taste of the Beach, Christmas Boat Parade, Art Bazaar

 Notification

 Newsletters and invitation letters  Advertisements in local papers and in community

newsletters

 Online notices – County and Fort Myers Beach websites and

HOAs

 Toll‐Free Hotline

Initial Stakeholders

 Town of Fort Myers Beach  City of Bonita Springs  Utility Agency Owners  Environmental Agencies  Lovers Key State Park  Islands End Condominiums  Lovers Key Beach Club  Island Beach Club  Lovers Key Resort  Waterside Condominiums  Pelican Landing Community Association  Chamber of Commerce  Boating Organizations & Marinas

For More Information

Visit the project website at:

www.BigCarlosBridgeProject.com

• r contact:

Kris Cella, Public Information Cella Molnar & Associates, Inc. 239‐337‐1071 Kcella@cella.cc

What’s Next?

 Public involvement  Study duration approximately 18 months  Outcomes of PD&E Study

 Preferred Alternative identified  Estimate of cost  NEPA clearance to continue design

 After PD&E phase‐design and construction

Questions?