Gateway palm tree removal to cause road closures

Published:

LEE COUNTY, Fla.- The Gateway Services Community Development District has announced periodic closings of small sections of Gateway Boulevard between July 21- July 30.

While Gateway Boulevard is closed, residents and visitors who wish to enter Gateway from the north can use Griffin Drive at State Road 82.

All road closings will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 5 p.m.

Here is the full schedule:

July 21: Gateway Blvd closed between SR-82 and Ivy Brook Run
July 22: Gateway Blvd closed between SR-82 and Ivy Brook Run
July 23: NO CLOSURES
July 24: Gateway Blvd closed between Ivy Brook Run and Pebblebrook Road
July 25: Gateway Blvd closed between Ivy Brook Run and Pebblebrook Road
July 26: NO CLOSURES
July 27: NO CLOSURES
July 28: Gateway Blvd closed between Pebblebrook Road and Hidden Links Drive
July 29: Gateway Blvd closed between Pebblebrook Road and Hidden Links Drive
July 30: Gateway Blvd closed between Pebblebrook Road and Hidden Links Drive

Thirty-seven royal palm trees will be removed from the median of Gateway Boulevard and relocated to other areas marked with white flags within the Gateway community.

Transportation officials say the trees are too close to the road and are dangerous for drivers.

A group of residents led the charge to save the trees and relocate them rather than just cut them down.

While they are happy to see the trees relocated, they are worried that without the trees, a driver may cross the median and cause a head-on crash.

The first nine trees when you first turn onto Gateway Boulevard from SR 82 will not be removed.

 

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