To the editor:

The proposed I-75 interchange should be moved about three miles north to the Charlotte County line to allow a really functional East-West Express to be built from Babcock City to US 41. If this Expressway were to be built as a “No Access” along the whole road, there would be minimal impact of future residential growth nearby. The future construction of this new I-75 interchange at about mile marker number 150 would also prevent or minimize urban sprawl outside of the Babcock City area, due to limited access.

Current plans for the Del Prado Extension call for it to directly impact the Prairie Pines 20/20 Preserve, and yet it would be nearly four miles longer (with a probable toll) than the current route using US 41 to get to Tucker’s Grade existing interchange from the Del Prado intersection with US 41. The movement of the proposed interchange about three miles north to the county line would greatly shorten the connector road from US 41 as I-75 moves closer to US 41 as it goes north,thus also helping Cape Coral.

Both the new City of Babcock as well as Cape Coral would be well served by this relocation. It is possible that a toll could be avoided due to the probability that some of the cost for the East-West Expressway would be paid for under the current agreements with Kitson & Partners. Just getting the express-road to US 40 today would help preserve the rural character of both Charlotte and Lee by preventing urban sprawl near Babcock City.

As an additional benefit to Cape Coral, a new road from Tucker’s Grade connecting to Burnt Store would help folks leaving I-75 to get to the Cape. The approximately four mile road is currently in the Charlotte MPO’s 2030 Road Plan as item number 22, but financial help from Lee County could make this feasible much sooner. This new road would also help in Cape Coral’s new development of the Zemel Property for their much needed commercial development in the future. Both MPO’s should join in this effort.

Unless the joint MPO’s of Lee and Charlotte keep an open mind on this issue, the major negative impacts for the existing rural area will not be able to be avoided. Just the simple movement of this proposed new I-75 interchange will open up a real chance for a fully effective East-West limited access Expressway for the City of Babcock as well as helping Cape Coral as they continue to grow. The proposed new location for the new interchange is just about half-way between the Tucker’s Grade and the existing Bayshore interchanges, which makes sense as well.

Dave Urich

Life Member of RGMC

Fort Myers