BABCOCK RANCH — Leadership with Babcock Ranch is celebrating Florida Department of Transportation’s work on State Road 31.
While that work is primarily in Lee County, most of Babcock Ranch is in Charlotte County.
Officials with Babcock Ranch said “relief is on the way for motorists.”
The project will widen the two lanes to six lanes from Palm Beach Boulevard to Bayshore Road, and also replace Wilson Pigott Bridge over the Caloosahatchee River.
Bids are expected in the near future, it stated.
“We are pleased the state is moving forward with the remaining improvements to S.R. 31,” Kitson & Partners CEO/Chairman Syd Kitson stated.
Kitson is the developer of Babcock Ranch.
The development funded the project’s first $85 million phase. It did so by building a four-lane replacement road between Bayshore Road and Babcock Ranch Drive.
“When completed, these two phases will greatly transform transportation in the region,” he said.
S.R. 31 and the Wilson Pigott Bridge area serve a key route for agriculture, mining and commuter traffic from Polk County through DeSoto and Charlotte counties, the news release noted.
“Designed for future expansion to six lanes from Bayshore Road to Cypress Parkway, the corridor will also feature roundabouts at Lake Babcock Drive, Fox Hill Road and Shirley Lane,” it stated.
There are detours in place while work takes place, it stated. The first phase is expected to be completed by May 2027.
“While construction may create temporary inconveniences, these improvements will deliver long-term benefits for safety, flood mitigation and traffic flow,” Kitson stated.
The replacement for the Wilson Pigott span will have six lanes. That work should to begin in 2027, according to FDOT.
“Both projects include sidewalks and multi-use trails along S.R. 31 as well as lighting enhancements at major intersections and significant improvements to stormwater facilities,” it stated. “The existing S.R. 31 will become an access road for properties to the west.”