New traffic system could lead to faster travel time along U.S. 41

LEE COUNTY, Fla.- For the first time, 280 intersections along U.S. 41, from Charlotte County to Collier County, are connected inside the Lee County Traffic Operations Center.

“Now we have every signal on U.S. 41 connect to our fiber optic system in our traffic system that we can monitor remotely from the facility,” said Rob Price, manager at the Traffic Operations Center.

Lee County traffic officials can now know exactly what’s going on at an intersection with the click of a button. They can find out how signals are functioning and know in an instant what traffic lights are red or green. The brand new fiber optic system also allows traffic experts to conduct signal timing studies which can be used to improve traffic travel time.

It took four years and $7.8 million to connect every intersection along U.S. 41. Drivers should start seeing less errors and issues because now the county can do more routine maintenance.

“It’s definitely cutting edge, I mean I think Lee County is doing a good job of trying to staying ahead of the game when it comes to traffic operations and how we can make travel better for the residents,” said Price.

The county maintains state roads like U.S. 41. The state used to pay Lee County $3,000 annually for each intersection, but now it will pay $4,500. The extra money will be used to make your commute a little easier.

“Our hope is this project will allow us to do more maintenance on the intersections so you see less intersections go into flash and less problems as your out there traveling our roadways,” explained Price.

This is the first of the three-phase project. At the end of the project, the county hopes to have all 420 intersections reporting right back to the traffic operations center.