FORT MYERS, Fla. — A project three years in the making for a faster commute in Fort Myers, is finally finished. The Hanson St. extension will fully open Wednesday.
The stretch of Hanson Street just west of Veronica S. Shoemaker Blvd. is what’s opening this week. It’s part of the city’s “Complete Streets” initiative that officials say will make traveling Hanson St. safer for everyone.
The “road closed” sign will finally come down, opening this east-west corridor of Hanson St from Veronica S. Shoemaker Blvd to Ortiz Ave.
Drivers are already using the roundabouts installed at those two main intersections within the last two years. The Florida Department of Transportation says they’re crucial for everyone’s safety.
A video posted on the City of fort Myers utilities website explains why. It referenced research from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety that shows roundabouts reduce fatal crashes by up to 90 percent. Their study also shows injury crashes are up to 75 percent less likely with roundabouts.
Seven-foot bike lanes and sidewalks were installed in that area to protect pedestrians, too.
Cella Molnar, the company overseeing the project, will answer questions from reporters Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. They’ll hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday morning at 10:00 a.m., west of the Hanson St and Ortiz Ave. intersection roundabout. They say the road west of Veronica S. Shoemaker Blvd. will officially open just in time for Thursday morning traffic.
