The public is invited to attend an official groundbreaking ceremony for the Corkscrew Road Widening Project at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 13, at the Pinewoods Water Treatment Plant, 11950 Corkscrew Road. Attendees should use the east entrance to the plant.

The ceremony will feature brief remarks by Lee County Commissioners and other officials. Centers for Disease Control guidelines will be observed.

The widening project is a top-tier transportation priority for the Lee Board of County Commissioners. The first phase will create a six-lane, divided arterial road from Ben Hill Griffin Parkway east to Fire House Lane and a four-lane divided arterial road from Fire House Lane east to Bella Terra Boulevard. The project also includes the relocation of potable water, reuse and wastewater utilities. The $23.3 million contract is with Lee County-based Cougar Contracting.

The roadway will include 4-foot bike lanes. Sidewalks along the portions in unincorporated areas are part of the project. The Village of Estero has an agreement with Lee County to build shared use paths for the Phase 1 roadway portions within the village boundary after roadway construction. The Village of Estero also will install street lighting and landscaping. The Village limits include the south side of Phase 1 and the north side from Ben Hill Griffin to the western boundary of the Wild Blue development.

The Phase 1 widening project is what the county is featuring in the groundbreaking ceremony. The event location is at one of Lee County Utilities’ water treatment plants.

Phase 2, which will extend east to Alico Road, will require some land acquisition. Total project costs for both phases, including design, land acquisition, construction and construction inspection is expected to be $52 million.

For more information on the project, go to www.corkscrewroadwidening.com.

For more information about the Lee County Department of Transportation, visit www.leegov.com/dot.