MPO Budgeting Meeting on Sept. 19
SUMMARY
The September 19, 2025 Lee County MPO meeting is where decisions will be made on how billions of dollars in local transportation funding are programmed over the next 5 years. Public input at this meeting helps ensure:
- Local voices influence which projects move forward.
- Transparency and accountability in how federal, state, and local dollars are spent.
- Residents can highlight community priorities (safety, congestion relief, environmental impacts, transit, etc.) before final approval.
This meeting will decide on highway congestion relief, storm recovery infrastructure, and public transit expansion. Residents should attend to ensure local needs—like safer streets, faster commutes, and resilient access to barrier islands—are reflected in the final approved plan.
Table 1 – Comparison table showing what was in the May 2025 adopted TIP versus what was added or changed in the September 2025 amendment
| Project | Adopted TIP (May 2025) | Amended TIP (Sept 2025) | Status Change |
| I-75 Bonita Beach Rd → Corkscrew (add lanes/reconstruct) | Planned, not fully funded | $309M fully programmed | Funding greatly increased |
| I-75 @ Daniels Pkwy Interchange | Planned, partial funding | $48M fully programmed | Funding secured |
| I-75 @ Colonial Blvd Interchange | Planned, partial funding | $70M fully programmed | Funding secured |
| Sanibel Causeway – Permanent Repairs | Hurricane recovery placeholder only | $226M fully programmed | Now fully funded |
| Pine Island Roadway – Permanent Repairs | Hurricane recovery placeholder only | $56M fully programmed | Now fully funded |
| Matlacha Corridor & Bridge Repairs | Not included | $7M+ added | Now included |
| LeeTran Bus Purchases (2026–2030) | $0 future placeholder | $15M total programmed | Now funded |
| Corkscrew Road Widening (County Project) | Listed in Lee County capital program (outside MPO TIP) | No change (not in MPO TIP amendment) | Unchanged – still county-led |
Why the September 19th MPO Meeting Matters
The Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) will vote on major changes to our region’s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). These decisions will shape traffic flow, hurricane recovery, and transit service for years to come.
What’s Moving Forward
- I-75 Corridor Improvements
- Over $300 million programmed to widen I-75 between Bonita Beach Road and Corkscrew, plus major upgrades at the Daniels Parkway and Colonial Boulevard interchanges.
- These projects are designed to reduce congestion and improve safety along one of the county’s busiest corridors.
- Hurricane Recovery & Resiliency
- More than $200 million in funding for permanent repairs to the Sanibel Causeway, Pine Island Road, and the Matlacha Corridor & Bridge.
- These investments will protect vital access routes to our barrier islands and ensure storm resilience for the future.
- Transit Expansion
- $15 million committed to purchase new LeeTran buses through 2030.
- This will improve reliability, expand service, and support future growth in public transportation.
What’s Not Included This Round
Projects like Corkscrew Road widening are not part of this amendment. That doesn’t mean they are cancelled — they remain in the Lee County capital program but were not adjusted in this MPO funding cycle.
Why You Should Attend
When residents show up, decision-makers listen. Your voice ensures:
- Local concerns about safety, congestion, and storm recovery are heard.
- Funding priorities reflect what matters most to our communities.
- Transparency in how state and federal transportation dollars are spent.
📅 Meeting Details
- Date/Time: Friday, September 19, 2025 – 9:00 AM
- Location: Lee County Administration East Building, Room 118, 2201 Second Street, Fort Myers
If you cannot attend, the MPO Meeting Notice offers e-comment options.
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Written by Lisa Khorey, Communications and Membership Director
Sources:
September TIP and UPWP amendments 2025 (Lee County MPO packet, September 19, 2025).
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