First Glimpse of I75/SR 951 Interchange Project

The Florida Department of Transportation held a public information meeting showcasing the proposed details on the I75 at SR 951/Collier Boulevard Interchange Project. The pre-construction information meeting gave citizens the opportunity to talk with FDOT project staff and learn more about the design plans. The project has been designed to alleviate congestion and improve safety to the area. The total estimated cost of the project is $97.7 million. 

The FDOT project team was on hand to have a one-on-one dialogue with attendees and answer any questions. Two large scale maps were laid out across banquet tables giving everyone a birds eye view of the area and a visual of what to expect. If someone asked where a certain road or landmark was in relation to other marked areas, staff were quick to write it directly on the map to help bring more context.

According to the informational flier available at the meeting, the construction will be converting the interchange from its current diamond design to a modified diamond interchange. The on and off ramps between I75 and Collier Boulevard will be reconstructed with two new fly-over ramps that will go over Davis Boulevard. One will serve as an off-ramp from I75 southbound to Collier Boulevard southbound. The second will serve as an on-ramp for Collier Boulevard northbound to I75 northbound. Two new loop ramps will also be constructed with one serving as an on-ramp from Collier Boulevard southbound to I75 southbound and the other serving as an on-ramp from Collier Boulevard northbound to I75 northbound. Traffic will still be able to utilize Davis Boulevard. Other proposed improvements include adding emergency stopping sites on off-ramps, improvements to the intersection at Collier and Davis and a new shared-use bicycle path.

The early work is scheduled to start at the end of March/beginning of April. You may have noticed that there is already some stored material in the area. Project staff indicated that you will gradually start seeing more equipment brought in, silt fences, and other mobilization efforts. Once the initial roadway plans are finalized and released, they can begin with the first segment.

Posters on easels gave more tentative timeline details: Stage I will run through mid-2024 and include widening and resurfacing of Collier Boulevard and temporary widening of I75. Stage II, projected to start mid-2024 will include widening of I-75, reconstructing ramps and constructing fly-over ramps. Stage III, the last one, is slated for mid-2025 and will include resurfacing, installing signage and traffic signals with completion sometime towards the end of 2025.

It is important to understand that a lot of the timing is up to the contractors schedules – the designs and scheduling is tentative and subject to change. But the good news is you can get updates on the progress, along with construction alerts and the improvement plans, on the dedicated FDOT website page at www.swflroads.com/project/425843-2. Or visit FDOT on Instagram and Twitter at @myfdot_swfl, or Facebook at MyFDOTSWFL.