Roadway and Bike/Pedestrian Pathways Discussed at Council

The Marco Island City Council heard from both the Executive Director of the Metropolitan

Planning Organization (MPO) as well as the Marco Island Bike Pathway Committee on Monday evening regarding their plans for 2024 and beyond.

Established in 1982, the MPO became responsible for the development of the area's Long Range Transportation Plans, Transportation Improvement Program, Unified Planning Work Program and for coordinating the Transportation Planning Process throughout Collier County.

The MPO Director Anne McLaughlin gave updates as to projected population growth in and around Collier County, as well as plans for both major highway projects and improvements to existing bike lane projects and expansion of new bike lanes which will interconnect with bike lanes within Collier County.

Project prioritization through design to the beginning of construction typically takes eight years before the first shovel hits the dirt. It is therefore especially important to be constantly reviewing data and projected growth patterns.

➢ I-75/SR 951 (Collier Blvd) Interchange Improvement underway $97 million.

➢ I-75 at Pine Ridge Rd Interchange Improvement FY 2025 $24 million.

➢ I/75 widen from 6 - 8 lanes from Golden Gate Pkwy to Corkscrew Rd (Lee County)

    FY  2027 $578 million.

➢ SR 29 from New Market Rd to SR 82 FY 2027 $59 million. 

➢ SR 29 from CR 846 E to New Market Rd, new alignment, 4-lane divided loop around downtown Immokalee FY 2027 $84 million.

➢ SR 951 Manatee Rd – N of Tower Rd, widen 4-6 lanes, bike/ped improvements FY 2029 $22 million.

In addition, another $9.0 Million in State DOT funds are being set aside in 2025 by the MPO for the Caxambas Ct./ Roberts Bay Bridge replacement. 

Due to lobbying by Marco City Councilor Greg Folley who serves as the representative for the island on the MPO Board, that organization has agreed to undertake a review of the surge in E-Bikes on the “shared-use” pathways by the sub-committee of the MPO which is constantly reviewing issues concerning pedestrian/bike issues and make recommendations back to the Board.

Al Musico, the Chairman of the Marco Bike Path Committee updated councilors regarding construction plans for 2024 and beyond. 

PROJECTS IN PROGRESS 2024

Collier Alternate Bike Lanes (Landmark Extensions) 

• South - Peru-Seagrape-Swallow 
• North - Amazon-Castaways-Saturn-Greenbriar 100% Design Approved by FDOT $1,043,099 
• FDOT Initial Construction Grant 7/1/23 $1,500,000 
• Additional FDOT Grant Funds Approved 
• LAP Agreements in Progress with FDOT Construction Contracts 2024

2025 TO 2027 PROJECTS

N Barfield Pathway (Bald Eagle to Collier Blvd) 

• CIP Funded – FDOT Funding Unlikely – Low MPO Priority Score 
• Design Completed 
• Construction Contracts 2024

Sandhill Pathway (Leland to Winterberry) 

• CIP Funded – FDOT Funding Unlikely - Low MPO Priority Score
• Design Bids Requested – Construction Contracts 2024

Bald Eagle Bike Lanes (Collier to San Marco)

• $802,475 Construction Grant Approved by FDOT 
• 60% Designs (CIP Funded) due to FDOT 10/1/2025 
• Construction Funds Available 7/1/26 (1 year early) 
• Construction Bids and Contracts late 2026 Construction to Begin after Season 2027

Construction to Begin after Season 2027 This Project will Complete the MI Master Bike Path Plan Approved By City Council in 2013 

Proposed New Pathway 

• Town Center Shared Use Pathway 
• Will Connect New Veteran’s Park to Existing Network 
• Provide Access to Winn Dixie and Publix 
• Extend Elkcam Circle Pathway from Bald Eagle to Collier 
• Add 8’ Pathway along 6th Ave from Elkcam to Barfield 
• Fill in Gaps on Elkcam at Winn Dixie and Island Tower 
• Qualifies for FDOT Grant Funding (Approx $1,000,000) 
• Must be Included in MI Master Plan Safety – 
• 2 Bike/Vehicle Crashes in 2022 
• Environmental Justice – Serves 6th Ave / Marco Lake 

Feedback at Farmers Market Public Forums is Very Positive

Marco Loop Project 

• Collier County Project Collier Blvd (951) from Jolley Bridge to Route 41
• San Marco (92) from Goodland Bridge to Route 41
• Route 41 from Collier to San Marco (mostly completed) 
• Feasibility Study Completed by FDOT – Multiple Options are possible 
• 12/6/23 Approved by Florida Greenways and Trails Council (FDEP) 
• Added to the Collier to Polk Regional Trail System 
• Included by Reference in the SUN Florida SUN Trails Network 

FDOT has prepared a request for $6,200,000 in SUN Trail Funding for a PD&E (Project Development and Environmental) Study for the Collier County segment of Polk Regional Trail (including Marco Loop).

The Marco Bike Path Advisory Committee is comprised of eight volunteer members who have been responsible for bringing back to the community millions of dollars in FDOT grant monies to improve safety for children and adults alike on sidewalks and shared use pathways around the island.