The Lee County Board of Commissioners approved funding for the Bus Shelter Program for the fiscal year 2010 at Tuesday’s board meeting.

The five-year Bus Shelter installation project is 100 percent funded by the Federal Transit Administration. LeeTran developed the project for passengers who use the transit system.

“I can’t thank you enough,” Commissioner Ray Judah said, adding that this is a “tremendous accomplishment for this community, that we are going to provide the necessary shelter from inclement weather.”

Commissioner Brian Bigelow said he would like to see the bus shelters smoke free. He said that he would like to see the appropriate signage placed at the shelters to encourage smokers to keep them smoke free.

He said if we are building a semi-enclosed space, people shouldn’t be able to smoke there.

The budget amendment resolution approved an amount of $1,055,028, which will allow LeeTran to move forward with purchasing and installing 44 shelters, which will be completed in September 2010.

There are currently five shelter locations that are completed, two locations 100 percent designed and six locations that are 30 percent designed.