TRANSPORTATION

The purpose of this IOAR is to provide the required technical documentation for obtaining FHWA approval for improvements at the I-75/Corkscrew Road interchange in Lee County. The current interchange is a diamond interchange with signal-controlled operation at both ramp terminal intersections.

The primary basis for traffic projections in this IOAR is the latest version of the District One Regional Planning Model (D1RPM) which has a base year of 2010 and a cost feasible (forecast) year of 2040. The analysis years for the study include Existing Year 2016, Opening Year 2019, and Design Year 2029. The operational analysis for this study was performed using Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) 2010 procedures and VISSIM microsimulation software.

The I-75/Corkscrew Road interchange serves as the primary I-75 access point for the Villages of Estero. The interchange ramp terminal intersections currently experience significant delays and queues for critical left turn movements during peak hours.

Two alternatives will be evaluated in this IOAR (Build Alternative and No-Build Alternative). The Build Alternative consists of additional left turn lanes accessing the I-75 on-ramps (resulting in dual left turn lanes in both directions), additional queue storage lanes along the eastbound and westbound approaches to the interchange, extended acceleration/deceleration lanes for ramp merge/diverge operations along I-75 mainline, replacement of high mast lighting at the interchange, and buffered bicycle lanes along Corkscrew Road within the interchange area. The No-Build Alternative would maintain the current facility with no improvements.

FDOT is requesting approval of the Build Alternative as part of this IOAR. Currently, the final design phase is funded through FDOT, District One, and is currently ongoing. No right of way acquisition is required for the Build Alternative. Letting for construction is currently targeted for FY 2019.

The proposed improvements at the I-75/Corkscrew Road interchange will provide significantly better operations along Corkscrew Road, at the ramp terminal intersections, and at the I-75 ramp junctions with no significant negative impacts.

The comparison of the No-Build and Build Alternative shows that the proposed improvements will provide better and safer operating conditions by reducing delay and queuing at the study interchange. These improved operating conditions will result in a reduction of the likelihood of rear-end and sideswipe crashes, resulting in safer conditions compared to the No-Build Alternative.

This IOAR has been developed in accordance with FDOT Policy No. 000-525-015: Approval of New or Modified Access to Limited Access Highways on the Strategic Intermodal System (SIS), FDOT Procedure No. 525-030-160: Approval of New or Modified interchange access to limited access facilities on SIS, the Interchange Access Request User’s Guide (2015) and the FDOT’s 2014 Project Traffic Forecasting Handbook (Procedure No. 525-030-120).