Marco Loop Trail on the Way?

Imagine a bicycling and walking loop stretching from Marco Island to US 41, meandering east to CR 92, then heading back to Marco Island. Well, the Marco Loop Trail, being evaluated by the Florida Department of Transportation, could become a reality.

Bicyclists, walkers and other multi-modal users will be happy to know that the City of Marco Island, Collier County, and the Collier County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) are partnering with FDOT on a Marco Island Loop Trail Feasibility Study to review and evaluate a 12.5-mile multi-use trail (shared use path) and multi-modal improvements along SR 951.

As detailed on the Marco Island Loop Trail website, “The project team is evaluating existing conditions, identifying feasible trail alternatives, and analyzing potential merits and impacts of the identified alternatives to multimodal mobility and to the social, economic, cultural, natural, and physical environment.

The project includes two study corridors and will generally evaluate the feasibility of a multi-use trail to be implemented on one side or the other of the roadways. The proposed project along SR 951 (Collier Boulevard) begins at the entrance to the Bear Point Canoe and Kayak Launch just north of the Judge Jolley Bridge and extends to Tower Road. The total length of trail is approximately six miles.

The second project study corridor will explore the feasibility for a multi-use trail along one side or the other of CR 92 (San Marco Road) from Goodland Road to the intersection with US 41. The total length of this trail is approximately six and a half miles.”

“It’s our way of trying to study all of the input we can,” said Adam Rose, communications specialist for the FDOT.  "We’re trying to see what the population wants, needs. There’s no set plans, but normally this information goes into and helps us make future decisions and plans. The good thing is a lot of these items turn into projects somewhere down the road. They help us to give communities what they need, what they want.”

Vu Vu, vice president of roadway designer Landis Evans + Partners, the consulting firm working with FDOT on the Marco Loop Trail project, is optimistic. His firm is studying surveys gathered at the December 7 farmer’s market on Marco Island.

"Hands down the best farmer’s market I’ve ever been to,” Vu said, "It blew me away. We talked to 248 folks. We got a pretty good influx of responses online after the event. It was a great event.”

The survey is still online at marcolooptrail.com. Rose stresses that FDOT is always interested in receiving input.

"We’re always taking public input,” Rose said. "It’s most vital for us during these study phases.”

Rose said that if the project makes it out of the study phases, it moves into a PD&E study.

"The current study will determine the need for a subsequent project development and environment (PD&E) study,” Rose said, "based on the potential project effects, right-of-way requirements, and in consideration of the potential use of federal funds for future project phases."

In the PD&E study the project team evaluates existing conditions, identifying feasible trail alternatives, and analyzing potential merits and impacts of the identified alternatives to multimodal mobility and to the social, economic, cultural, natural, and physical environment.

"When it comes to studies,” Rose said, "we see a need in an area. Maybe there’s not a whole lot of pedestrian facilities in an area that we can improve. We get comments from people who want improvements. It’s pretty straight forward.

"One of the things we’re trying to do with a project like this is to give pedestrians what they want, to promote more styles of transit. To be able to really find what the community wants and try to serve them. That’s something we take a lot of pride in. We can help communities and kind of hear what they want.”

The Marco Loop Trail would be a welcome addition to Marco Island’s comprehensive bike path master plan of in-road lanes and shared use paths.

"We’re still in the phase of trying to determine what the needs are,” Rose said. "Something that can give people more trails, a bike path, stuff that helps with pedestrian travel, is always important. We’re always trying to promote safety here at the FDOT. That’s what we try to push for in all of our projects. If we can promote pedestrian facilities and pedestrian safety, that’s always number one in our books."