Safety Council

Engage Estero Safety Council is made of volunteers serving as a voice for the citizens of greater Estero on safety and transportation priorities and issues. We advocate for related solutions to Village, County, and State Government organizations.

Latest news…
Sign-Up for Property Fraud Alerts

Sign-Up for Property Fraud Alerts

Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comprtroller Kevin Karnes is now offering an alert notification system for Lee County property owners to reduce fraud. When you sign-up, if a deed, mortgage, or other non-Court official record is recorded in your name, you will be...

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Environment Council

Engage Estero Environment Council is a volunteer group focusing on improving water and air quality and mitigating and eliminating the effects of climate warming in greater Estero.

Latest news…
Landmark Victory for Florida’s Future

Landmark Victory for Florida’s Future

Landmark victory for Florida’s future will impact the proposed Bellmar and Kingston Developments, as they cannot receive their permit through Florida’s flawed program. By the Conservancy of Southwest Florida with permission to Engage Estero. February 16, 2024 Federal...

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Health Council

Engage Estero Community Health Council comprises health* and safety-minded volunteers who think about community health comprehensively with a common desire to improve the overall health of the citizens of greater Estero.

Latest news…
Let’s Make Estero A HeartSafe Community!

Let’s Make Estero A HeartSafe Community!

The facts Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is the leading cause of death in the United States, claiming more than 300,000 lives annually. Approximately 95 percent of SCA victims die before they reach a hospital or receive medical attention. How Can We Help Reduce This...

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Wellness: What is it and Why is it Important?

Wellness: What is it and Why is it Important?

(Written by Lee Health for Engage Estero’s Health Council) Much has been mentioned on news programs and other media about Wellness. However, it is seldom explained or fully understood.  During a meeting of Engage Estero’s Health Council earlier this year when this...

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Education Council

Engage Estero mobilizes volunteers in our schools, sponsors scholarships, and promotes the involvement of the community through announcements and public forums.

Latest news…
Estero High Cambridge Students Recognized

Estero High Cambridge Students Recognized

By Mike Wasson, Director, Engage Estero The Village of Estero Council issued a Proclamation its Meeting on Wednesday, March 6th honoring 39 Estero High School Students who were presented the Cambridge Outstanding Learners Awards. In his remarks, Jon McLain, Village of...

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Updates on Issues of Impact

Engage Estero believes the best way to get a community involved is to make sure they are aware of the issues impacting their future, and know how to impact those decisions before they are made. We conduct and publish original research and articles aimed at getting residents Engaged.

The Interstate 75 interchange at Corkscrew Road is failing to adequately handle traffic during peak hours of usage. As Estero’s only connection to the interstate highway system, this interchange is a source of continual aggravation as traffic routinely backs up, causing delays and safety concerns. In the long-term, this interchange will need to be rebuilt; however, short-term improvements should be happening within three-to-five years.

In 2009, Lee County worked with the state to construct the Estero Parkway overpass, relieving the Corkscrew/I-75 interchange of about 10,000 vehicles per day. However, this has proved insufficient to alleviate congestion at the interchange as Estero’s population growth and commercial development continue at rapid pace.

A recent Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) analysis gave this interchange an “F” level of service during peak-hour usage. Corkscrew Road fails to provide acceptable traffic flow during the morning rush of vehicles coming from eastern Estero, with heavy traffic traveling westbound on Corkscrew Road to southbound I-75 toward Naples. Similarly, in the afternoon, the interchange fails to meet the demands of heavy traffic traveling eastbound on Corkscrew Road entering the northbound I-75 ramp toward Fort Myers.

When this interchange is not functioning properly, it creates congestion and safety issues for Estero residents, as well as for those who visit Estero and do business in our community, including thousands of shoppers at Estero’s large, regional malls.

Long-Term Problem

Ultimately, the interchange needs to be completely rebuilt. The approaches to the interchange on Corkscrew Road need to be six lanes, in addition to necessary turn lanes, similar to the way the Alico Road/I-75 interchange was reconstructed a few years ago. This solution would require the existing I-75 bridge over Corkscrew to be torn down and a new, wider bridge to be constructed.

The bad news is this improvement is not in the county’s plans anytime soon. Due to the shortage of state and federal transportation funds, Lee County’s Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has not included the Corkscrew/I-75 interchange in its 2040 Plan, which prioritizes funding for transportation projects. If this doesn’t change, no funding for the ultimate improvement of this interchange will be available until after 2040 — 23 years from now.

Short-Term Fix

The good news is the FDOT interchange analysis identified interim improvements which could be applied as early as 2020 to 2022. These changes involve constructing one additional turn lane on Corkscrew Road under the I-75 bridge in both directions. This short-term fix is projected to extend the acceptable level of service for the interchange through 2029.

Constructing an additional turn lane for both northbound and southbound I-75 will not require any changes to the current I-75 overpass bridge. Design for the interim improvements has already begun, and construction likely will be included in the current, five-year FDOT Works Program. The interim fix of this interchange should significantly improve access to I-75 during peak hours of travel.