SR 31 construction project under way.<\/p>\n
Image courtesy of the FDOT<\/p>\n
The \u201cnew\u201d State Road 31 \u2014 the long-awaited, reconfigured five-mile stretch beginning near the Wilson Pignott Bridge and running north \u2014 will open in May 2027.<\/p>\n
Syd Kitson, chairman and CEO of Kitson & Partners, and the developer of Babcock Ranch, said they spent $85 million to improve the road from Lake Babcock Drive down to Bayshore Road for the first phase of the SR 31 improvements.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy next May, the five-mile stretch will be open,\u201d he said of the new four-lane road being built perpendicular to the existing two-lane highway.<\/p>\n
The divided roadway is east of the existing SR 31 and is designed for future expansion to six lanes from Bayshore Road to Cypress Parkway.<\/p>\n
He said although they want people to stay at Babcock Ranch, as they have provided all the services to enable people to stay \u2013 shopping, working, recreation \u2013 realistically, there are still jobs that people need to leave the community for.<\/p>\n
This is why Kitson wanted to invest in improving the road, to ensure a smooth and safe commute.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving that four lanes in place will dramatically impact the safety and the controlled volume of traffic that goes through to SR 80,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kitson said the stretch will be 45 mph and includes several roundabouts to control the traffic and make it a safer stretch at Lake Babcock Drive, Fox Hill Road and Shirley Lane.<\/p>\n
He said they are very proud of the roundabouts at Babcock Ranch, as the speed is much slower \u2013 25 mph throughout the community, which allows residents to put golf carts on the road.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe talked about transportation and wanted it to be unique. The entire spine road of Babcock there are roundabouts, no lights, all throughout the community there are no traffic lights,\u201d Kitson said. \u201cIt\u2019s interesting to see how other communities and other places are starting to implement the strategy.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said DEP just announced that it is moving forward with the Wilson Piggott Bridge, which is a game changer for everybody in the whole area.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe bridge has failed because the traffic has increased,\u201d Kitson said, not just because of Babcock Ranch, but because it is a major thoroughfare from Fort Myers to Orlando. \u201cUp north there are a plethora of mines that send the trucks all the way down to SR 31. The flow (will be) much smoother and with the new bridge going in \u2013 getting out to SR 80 to 75 will be a much easier commute.\u201d<\/p>\n
The second phase includes the widening of 1.4-miles between Palm Beach Boulevard (S.R. 80) and Bayshore Road (S.R. 78) on S.R. 31 from two lanes to a six-lane divided roadway. The Wilson Piggot drawbridge is also part of the scope of work, as it will be replaced with a high-span fixed bridge and reconfiguring the SR 31 and SR 80 intersection.<\/p>\n
The proposed span is east of the existing bridge with six lanes and a 57-foot vertical clearance above the Caloosahatchee River.<\/p>\n
Kitson said they are grateful to FDOT and the state of Florida, as they are taking a strong innovative approach to get the transportation system one of the best in the country. He said he applauds them for the work they are doing.<\/p>\n