FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:    Kris Cella, Cella & Associates, 337-1071
                or Elly McKuen, Lee County CRA, 338-3161

FORT MYERS, Fla. (November 7, 2000) – The intersection of Business 41 and Pondella Road in North Fort Myers will open back up to traffic late Wednesday (Nov. 8) after being closed for 10 days to place decorative pavers in the roadway.

The project – which originally was estimated to take 45 days – was completed sooner due to crews working extended hours and the weekend; efficient subcontractor scheduling; good weather; and because no unforeseen utilities were discovered that would have slowed the construction schedule.

Traffic in all lanes should be open by Wednesday evening. A traffic management plan allowed accesses to all businesses to remain open during the construction.

The North Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency approved the construction of the circular, multi-colored paver design to improve the aesthetics of the intersection. The paver design is Phase II of an improvement project that also includes the recently completed landscaping at the base of the Edison Bridges in North Fort Myers.

The original construction plan was for 90 days by keeping one lane open in each direction. But by closing the intersection temporarily and rerouting traffic to adjacent streets, the CRA and the contractor (J.W. Conner & Sons) estimated construction time could be cut in half and actually was able to complete the project in 10 days.

The contractor removed 350 cubic yards of asphalt and base; poured 250 yards of concrete in eight hours; and laid 8,000 square feet of pavers, which is about 41,000 concrete pavers.

"We’re happy that even though this has been an inconvenience for motorists and adjacent businesses, it only was for a short period of time," said Elly McKuen, CRA program manager. "This project certainly beautifies the intersection. The North Fort Myers CRA and Lee County want to thank the residents, businesses and traveling public for their patience during construction."

A North Fort Myers businessman filed for an injunction last week to have the project stopped because of concerns about the safety of the pavers. That hearing was to be held today but was rescheduled for Thursday (Nov. 9).

The Florida Department of Transportation gave its approval to the placement of the pavers and has given its opinion that they are safe at the posted speed limit of 45 miles-per-hour on that section of Business 41.