Naples plans improvements for pedestrian underpass

NAPLES, Fla. – Nearly $600,000 will be used to make improvements to an underpass in the City of Naples. The Gordon River underpass helps make it faster and safer for pedestrians to cross the street. It’s located just east of Goodlette-Frank Road under US 41.

City officials tell WINK News the underpass is not used enough and are hoping the upgrade will change that.

“Much better than crossing the street.” Ganine Montgomery is staying at the Bayfront Hotel. She tells WINK News it was a headache trying to cross US 41 at first.

“Just the traffic and direction of the cars took maybe at least 10 minutes for us to cross the street.” But after some searching she stumbled on the Gordon River underpass and has been using it ever since.

“If there was something like an arrow right here that this goes across the street on both sides would be great,” said Montgomery.

City officials said they’re working to change that with overall improvements that will make the underpass more noticeable and hopefully used more.

“The project entails adding decorative lighting, some better signage, illuminated signage, adding some paint, putting hand railing along the interior,” said Gregg Strakaluse, who is the director for the Streets and Stormwater Department.

In the meantime, Strakluse tells WINK News pedestrians should still use the current under pass the way it is instead of trying to cross busy U.S. 41. “It’s a clear shot for pedestrians, safer under U.S. 41 and it keeps as much green time as possible to U.S. 41.”

Construction is scheduled to begin next summer.