FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Scott Gilbertson, Lee County Department of Transportation
               (239) 479-8580

COUNTY RIBBON CUTTING FOR CYPRESS LAKE DR. WIDENING APRIL 14

FORT MYERS, Fla. (April 12, 2004) - Lee County will hold a ribbon cutting Wednesday (April 14) for its most recently completed transportation project - the widening of Cypress Lake Drive in south Fort Myers.

The ceremony will be at 3 p.m. INSIDE the Appleby's Restaurant at the southwest corner of U.S. 41 and Cypress Lake Drive. A ribbon cutting will be held outside immediately following the inside ceremony.

County Commission Chairman John Albion will serve as master of ceremonies.

The county widened the one-mile stretch of Cypress Lake Drive between U.S. 41 and Summerlin Road from four lanes to six lanes. It was the only east-west link between U.S. 41 and Summerlin that had not been six-laned. In addition, a new traffic signal was installed at the Reflection Lakes/Seven Lakes intersection; the existing 10-inch water main was replaced with a new 16-inch water main; and added access management will allow greater and safer traffic flow where driveways and median openings are located.

The $2.4-million project took a year to complete was funded with road impact fees, gas taxes and utility connection fees.