Eastward Ho!

it could get worse.

“Can the state DOT and the county keep things in some

reasonable sense of control so we don’t create California gridlock?” Stevens

muses. “Probably not. My theme for the whole thing is: ‘This is what’s

happening. Develop significant patience. Buy better car stereos. Install the

car fax. And make sure you get a spare cell phone battery, because you’re going

to spend a lot more time in your car.’”

Exit Strategies

The Florida DOT recently adopted a new exit numbering system

that initially may lead a few motorists astray. The system is based on mileage

from I-75’s terminus near Miami rather than on the 1-2-3-4 sequential numbering

previously used. Drivers can figure the distance between exits by subtracting

one number from the other. Although the change may cause some initial

confusion, it will bring a number of benefits, state officials promise. Many

other states already use the mileage method.

For the next two years, the state will post smaller signs

with old exit numbers next to big signs with new exit numbers. But motorists

will have to pay attention. Not all exit signs will carry the old numbers.

Here’s a handy list to avoid confusion:

INTERCHANGE style="mso-spacerun: yes"> OLD EXIT NEW EXIT

SR 29 style="mso-spacerun: yes"> 14A style="mso-spacerun: yes"> 80

CR 951 style="mso-spacerun: yes"> 15 style="mso-spacerun: yes"> 101

(Collier Blvd.) style="mso-spacerun: yes"> style="mso-spacerun: yes">

CR 896 style="mso-spacerun: yes"> 16 style="mso-spacerun: yes"> 107

(Pine Ridge Road) style="mso-spacerun: yes"> style="mso-spacerun: yes">

CR 846 style="mso-spacerun: yes"> 17 style="mso-spacerun: yes"> 111

(Immokalee Road) style="mso-spacerun: yes"> style="mso-spacerun: yes">

Bonita Beach Road style="mso-spacerun: yes"> 18 style="mso-spacerun: yes"> 116

Corkscrew Road style="mso-spacerun: yes"> 19 style="mso-spacerun: yes"> 123

Alico Road style="mso-spacerun: yes"> 20 style="mso-spacerun: yes"> 128

Daniels Parkway style="mso-spacerun: yes"> 21 style="mso-spacerun: yes"> 131

SR 884 style="mso-spacerun: yes"> 22 style="mso-spacerun: yes"> 136

(Colonial Blvd.) style="mso-spacerun: yes"> style="mso-spacerun: yes">

SR 82 (Dr. Martin style="mso-spacerun: yes"> 23 style="mso-spacerun: yes"> 138

Luther King Jr. Blvd.) style="mso-spacerun: yes"> style="mso-spacerun: yes">

Luckett Road style="mso-spacerun: yes"> 24 style="mso-spacerun: yes"> 139

SR 80 style="mso-spacerun: yes"> 25 style="mso-spacerun: yes"> 141

SR 78 style='mso-tab-count:1'>

26 143

Heavy Traffic

Notable recent, current or planned residential and

commercial developments near the interstate.

Five Publix supermarkets are sprouting, from the Immokalee

Road interchange in Naples north to the Colonial Boulevard and Daniels Parkway

interchanges in Fort Myers. Archrival Albertson’s is fighting back with

interstate-accessible stores at the Immokalee and Bonita Beach interchanges.

Miromar Lakes, a residential development with up to 2,200

houses in the works between Alico and Corkscrew roads, has disproved the notion

that land and housing get much cheaper the farther you get from the Gulf. Some

lots are listed in the $500,000 range, and houses to $2 million.

Nearby, a massive addition is planned for Miromar Outlets,

including a proposed interior design center that will double retail space with

an additional 400,000 square feet.

WCI’s Sun City Fort Myers, a residential project east of

Colonial, has 250 houses planned for construction and has already opened its

first phase.

A 220,000-square-foot Wal-Mart Supercenter is in the works

near the Colonial interchange.

Three interstate commerce parks—the Colonial Expressway

Interstate, the Bonita Grande Commerce Park and the Bayshore Interstate

Commerce Park—are offering office and industrial space from the Bonita Beach

Road interchange north to the Pine Island Road interchange.

Fort Myers developer O.J. Buigas and his Alanda Ltd. have

launched a research park and shipping and other airport-related facilities on

2,500 acres near the interstate, FGCU and airport.

A $386-million expansion of Southwest Florida International

Airport will bring a new runway and midfield terminal, adding gates that will

open access to new carriers and make it easier for passengers and freight to

get here.

Southwest Florida Equities Corp. plans an industrial center

on 171 acres near the Alico Road interchange, while a land trust called

Alico/75 Property plans to develop 31 acres at Alico with up to 310,000 square

feet of office and retail space and a hotel with up to 172 rooms.

A new regional mall is proposed at or near the interstate.

Simon Property Group of Indianapolis’ Suncoast and Cleveland-based Richard E.

Jacobs Group’s Gulf Coast Town Center are vying for the nod from government

regulators and major tenants.

The Omni property at Colonial and I-75, purchased a few

years ago by Miami Heat coach Pat Riley, is now in the master-plan phase for

mixed hotel and office use.