The Bonita Estero Rail Trail project (BERT) is not just a local initiative but a crucial part of a larger vision to complete the 420-mile-long Florida Gulf Coast Trail. This ambitious plan aims to connect communities from Tampa-St. Petersburg down to Naples, and the BERT is a significant step towards its realization. The benefits of the Bonita Estero Rail Trail Project include:
Consultant to Engage Estero
The project has received significant community support and is regarded as a valuable regional asset that will benefit over 70,000 residents within a 10-mile radius. However, many steps remain before a design is agreed upon.
In researching for this article, we conducted interviews with individuals from various Government organizations, including the Lee County Department of Transportation (LDOT), the Metropolitan Transportation Organization (MPO), the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) to the MPO, and the Village of Estero. Additionally, we held meetings with Civic and Recreational organizations such as The Bonita Estero Rails to Trails Group (BERT), Engage Estero, the East Corkscrew Alliance, the Federal Highway Administration (FHA), and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), contributed information for this article.
The information and research gathered from our sources have identified four key areas to consider when designing BERT, roads, and multi-use paths in greater Estero.
With the explosive population growth and trailing infrastructure, there needs to be more room to separate the bike lanes from the traffic lanes on Estero area roads.
The Village of Estero and Lee County are working to create separate multi-use paths. When Alico Rd was widened east of Ben Hill Griffin, Lee County installed multi-use paths separate from the roadway. The Village of Estero is in the design and preconstruction stages of the multi-use path along Corkscrew Rd from Ben Hill Griffin to Bella Terra. More multi-use paths are planned in future Estero capital improvement projects.
Please note: FDOT identifies separate bike lanes from the roadway:
We know a bike/pedestrian bridge will be expensive. The first planned and funded bike/pedestrian bridge in Lee County will cross Colonial Rd to connect two John Yarbrough Linear Park sections. When this project is complete, the information will help estimate the cost of future bike/pedestrian bridges. Additionally, data identifying the number of bridge users can be used to justify bike/pedestrian bridges.
For more details, see the following link: https://www.fdot.gov/docs/default-source/roadway/fdm/current/2019FDM266BikePedBridge.pdf
Some trails crossroads but do not have a marked crossing on the roadway to alert motorists. Motorists may not know the trail, so trail users must exercise caution when crossing the road.
A crossing may have a yield or stop sign for the trail user, and a trail crossing sign adjacent and before the crosswalk will be on the road to alert motorists of the crossing. Trail users stop or yield according to the trail signage. Trail walkers and bikers identify approaching vehicles and cross the road when it is clear of vehicles. Motorists at the trail crossing stop or yield according to the road signage crossing so the trail user can cross comfortably.
This Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) alerts motorists to trail users preparing to cross the road. Trail users press a button to activate the signal, and yellow lights flash to alert motorists that the trail user will cross the road. Yellow lights warn motorists to slow down and prepare to stop. Once the signal turns to a solid red light, motorists must stop for trail users to cross the road. Motorists may proceed once the signal is no longer solid red and the crosswalk is clear.
Flashing beacons over a road, known as HAWKs, warn motorists when a trail user is preparing to cross the road. Trail users press a button to activate the overhead signal. Yellow lights warn motorists to slow down and prepare to stop. Once the signal turns to a solid red light, motorists must stop for trail users to cross the road. Motorists may proceed once the signal is no longer solid red and the crosswalk is clear.
If the volume of traffic and trail users is high enough, a full stoplight may be used at a trail crossing to stop traffic for trail users. These are typically trail user-activated but may also be timed or automated. Like a normal traffic signal, motorists must stop when the signal turns red. Motorists may proceed when the signal turns green.
While we could hope for full stoplights at trail intersections, designers must ensure, at a minimum, that Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB) are appropriately placed to alert motorists to trail users preparing to cross the road.
For more details:
FDOT and The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FL DEP) identify the following: https://floridadep.gov/sites/default/files/Trail%20Safety%20at%20Crossings_1.pdf
We see more users as additional multi-use paths and trails are constructed by federal, state, or local municipalities. With more users, we see more conflicts between the “spandex” bikers (traveling at higher speeds) and recreational bikers colliding or nearly colliding with pedestrians and those out with children and strollers.
A painted line down the bike path serves a purpose, but as we design new paths/trails, we must plan for a physical barrier between the bikers and the pedestrians. While this design will be more expensive, high levels of safety are required.
There are bigger issues on trails and multi-use paths. Lack of consistent rules and regulations for speed limits, use of motorized/electric bikes, golf carts, skateboards, etc. These inconsistencies must be standardized between state, county, and local municipalities. A perfect example is BERT, where three different municipalities (Lee County, Village of Estero, and Bonita Springs) could have three different rules and regulations along the route, not to mention different ones at the Collier County connection. We strongly recommend that the municipalities agree on these rules and regulations and codify the consistent rules in their documents.
