Note to readers: This is another installment of our seasonal traffic column called “Bumper to Bumper.” We realize there is a traffic crisis in Southwest Florida, and the mission of this column is to share important information to help you get around and to listen to you – your frustrations and solutions.
The only thing missing from the gift that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis delivered on Tuesday was colorful packaging and a large bow.
Yes, just in time for the holidays, the governor posted on X (formerly known as Twitter) that a widening project on one of the busiest stretches of Interstate 75 between Fort Myers and Naples will begin in 2026. That is a year earlier than originally planned.
If you’re one of the thousands who commute to and from Fort Myers and Naples for work every day, you know the magnitude of this. Even if you’re not a commuter, all you have to do is watch the morning traffic report on TV to see what a nightmare I-75 is. Each. Single. Day.
When the widening is completed, travel time should be reduced by 47%, according to the X-post.
More: Bumper to Bumper: The Naples reader puts a positive spin on SWFL’s traffic crisis
A sign warns of traffic congestion on northbound I-75 in Collier County on Thursday, January 4, 2024.
Fort Myers, Naples I-75 Widening Project: What You Need to Know
According to the project description:
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20 miles of I-75 will be widened from Golden Gate Parkway to Corkscrew Road
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One lane will be added in each direction with auxiliary lanes, expanding the roadway from 6 to 8 lanes.
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The project is part of the Florida Department of Transportation’s Moving Florida Forward infrastructure initiative.
According to the governor’s post, other benefits include:
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Improved safety and quality of life for communities
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Increased efficiency of traffic operations
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Shorter travel times for emergency evacuations
Fort Myers, Naples I-75 Widening Project: What They Say
Here are some comments on the governor’s post on X:
CyberRebel said: I commuted from Naples (Golden Gate Estates) to Fort Myers for work – daily for years. I hated that drive, 70 miles round trip. This project is really worth it! Another victory for working Floridians.
Marshall Rapp said: Create special merge strips. The traffic is caused by people not merging onto the highway.
More: ‘Bumper to Bumper’: Our new seasonal traffic column stimulates ventilation, your solutions
Bernardo Portovino said: Lowering the speed limit would also help. 70 is too fast for an area with many elderly people. That stretch of road is treacherous.
Troy Stephens said: 600 million for 1 extra lane?!?! You’ve got a big fan here, but something about it seems extremely off. Just a gut check.
Remington said: Adding lanes is a waste of money and a foolish move. It will never reduce traffic congestion because it simply makes more people want to use the road. If you want to reduce congestion, you have to take cars off the road and that means other forms of public transport between and within cities.
Suze said: This SWFL resident says thank you!
SWFL traffic crisis: share your thoughts on this news
What do you think? Will this solve the problem for this stretch of road or is there more work to be done? Send an email to mrickel@gannett.com. It could be about this news, but it could also be about anything that’s on your mind when it comes to our traffic crisis. In the future, look for specific topics that we will post and share your comments on. Please put SWFL Traffic in the subject line.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: FDOT to widen I-75 between Fort Myers and Naples starting in 2026
