Terminal Access Rd. leading to RSW soon to be widened

FORT MYERS, Fla.- Construction will soon surround Southwest Florida International Airport once again as plans to expand Terminal Access Road from four lanes to six become a reality.

“It’s gotta be done, we’re just getting to be such a metropolis,” said Millie Clarkson.

Construction begins next month on the much-needed project the Lee County Port Authority believes will help the flow of traffic.

“I’ve never seen any congestion here,” said Joseph Jackson, who isn’t sure the road widening is necessary at the moment.

The $6.7 million necessary for the project will be provided by the Florida Department of Transportation, the Federal Aviation Administration and Lee County Port Authority.

Some drivers feel the money could be used elsewhere.

“If there was the option to use that money in other places, I’d like to see something done on 41 at the intersections of Gladiolus and Summerlin and some of the other intersections where it takes four light turns to make it across the road,” Jackson added.

However, a Lee County Port Authority spokesperson says the money is specific to aviation transportation projects and it’s important to plan ahead in order to keep up with the growth. Approximately 8.4 million people went through the airport last year.

Even though construction just finished with the I-75 connector a year ago, driver Joe Campopiano says the new construction is welcomed.

“It’s well worth it because what they did has increased to get in and out of the airport very easily and it cuts down the time,” Campopiano said.

Construction is expected to take about a year to complete.