FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Kris Cella Cella & Associates, Inc.
               (239) 337-1071 FAX: (239) 337-1076
               kcella@cella.cc

U.S. Business 41 (SR 739) Widening Project

COME SEE WHAT'S PLANNED FOR BUSINESS 41!  PRE-CONSTRUCTION PUBLIC INFORMATION WORKSHOP TO BE HELD

Fort Myers, FL, (May 5, 2004) Lee County Department of Transportation (LC DOT) will conduct a pre-construction public information workshop concerning the above referenced project. The workshop will be held on Wednesday, May 12, 2004 from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. at the North Fort Myers Community Park Recreation Center, 2021 N. Tamiami Trail in North Fort Myers.

In response to the rapid growth and development which has occurred in North Fort Myers, the LC DOT has recognized the need to advance the construction schedule for this Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) funded project. LC DOT will oversee the administration and construction of this project for FDOT.

This project consists of widening 1.14 miles of U.S. Business 41 from two lanes to four lanes from Marianna Avenue to Littleton Road. Medians will be added with irrigation and landscaping, and sidewalks and new street lighting will be installed on both sides of the roadway. Improvements will also be made to the drainage system in the area. FDOT has funded the installation of a sound wall (measuring 2040 linear feet) on the east side of the roadway at Buccaneer Estates. Estimated construction cost for this project is $7.5 million and is being funded by gas tax dollars. The construction will begin in late May and the estimated completion date is late summer of 2005. The changes being implemented through this project will improve the safety and aesthetics of the area for both vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

The public information workshop is being held to present construction plans for the road-widening project. Representatives from the FDOT, LC DOT, the contractor and other members of the project team will be on hand to discuss the project and answer questions. The workshop will be conducted in an "open house" format; no formal presentation will be given. You may attend the workshop anytime from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

Anyone needing special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 should contact Kris Cella, Cella & Associates, Inc. at (239) 337-1071 or e-mail to kcella@cella.cc prior to the workshop. If you have any questions about the project or would like information prior to the workshop, contact Kris Cella.