Changes Coming to I-75 /951 Interchange

The Florida Department of Transportation I-75 at SR 951 Interchange Project is anticipated to begin construction in April 2023. The upcoming construction project will impact traffic patterns in the I-75 area during construction and result in improved highway operations, safety, and regional mobility. A pre-construction public information session is scheduled for March 7, 2023 at the New Hope Ministries Event Center on Davis Boulevard, where the public can view construction plans, a detailed schedule, and have the opportunity to ask questions about the project.

A Project Development and Environment Study conducted by FDOT identified several areas for improvement in capacity and safety at each interchange. These improvements were also designed to accommodate the future configuration of I-75. The study looked at different interchange configurations including a diverging diamond configuration. The observation of the types of configurations considered future projected traffic volumes, safety, natural and human environmental issues, engineering, and right-of-way.

The safety issues with the current design were a major concern of Collier County Leadership, who urged the Florida Department of Transportation to move forward with the interchange project’s agenda. The project, originally projected to begin in 2025, is now scheduled to begin in Spring 2023, with the anticipation of design activities taking place over the next six months. 

FDOT works in partnership with the Collier Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) to adopt transportation priorities that are identified by the organization. The planning organization boards consist of local city and county elected officials to represent each area's needs and priorities. The MPO helps to prioritize and fund different construction projects and planning.

The I-75 Interchange Project plans to improve a variety of structural and functional aspects of the interchange in addition to traffic concerns. The I-75 construction project plans to improve the intersection at SR 951 and Davis Boulevard, resurface Collier Boulevard within the interchange area, construct a noise-barrier wall along the I-75 southbound off-ramp to SR 951, and make bicycle and sidewalk improvements with the construction of a new shared-use path.

FDOT Communications Specialist, Patricia Pichette, details various improvements included in the I-75 construction project. The project plans to “reconstruct the I-75 at Collier Boulevard interchange, converting from a diamond interchange to a modified diamond interchange, reconstruct the on- and off-ramps between I-75 and Collier Boulevard, construct two new fly-over ramps over Davis Boulevard, construct two new loop ramps with bridges over Collier Boulevard, add emergency stopping sites on off-ramps.”

The I-75 interchange project’s construction is estimated to be completed in late 2025 after starting construction in spring 2023. When construction begins and continues to progress drivers should be advised to be particularly cautious and aware of the altered road conditions and changes to typical traffic patterns. Motorists should anticipate lane and ramp closures nightly during the overnight hours throughout the duration of construction.