Significant traffic flow change in Fort Myers: What you need to know

Mark H. Bickel, Fort Myers News-Press
·3 min read

A significant change in the way traffic flows in and out of the City of Fort Myers will begin to take place the week of June 13-17.

The project —called "It's Time to 2-Way!" — is the conversion of First Street and Second Street from one-way traffic to a two-way flow. The transformation will begin June 13 and continue through June.

Week 1 (June 13-17 is the conversion of First Street/Palm Beach Blvd.)

According to the official project website, starting on June 13:

  • Westbound traffic will be reduced to one lane during daytime & nighttime hours until traffic converts to two-way travel

  • Crews will work at night from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. to: Change roadway striping & signage

  • Some side streets will be closed during nighttime hours

  • Lighting and noise should be expected by residents during this nighttime/overnight work and is unavoidable

Access will be maintained for residents and businesses with property directly on First Street/Palm Beach Blvd.

By the way: New Electric vehicle charging station at Miromar Outlets is Southwest Florida's largest

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The traffic conversion on First Street/Palm Beach Blvd from one-way to two-way traffic will be completed in these three steps.

Starting the week of June 13-17, 2022, the transformation for turning First Street and Second Street in the City of Fort Myers will begin. The project is planned for three phases with Phase 1 the change of how the traffic flows on these two heavily traveled Fort Myers streets.
Starting the week of June 13-17, 2022, the transformation for turning First Street and Second Street in the City of Fort Myers will begin. The project is planned for three phases with Phase 1 the change of how the traffic flows on these two heavily traveled Fort Myers streets.

Step 1

On Monday, June 13, westbound motorists will be directed to drive in the south/left side travel lane. (Shown in green on map below.)

Crews will close the north/right side travel lane to change roadway striping and signage. (Shown in red on map below.)

Map 1
Map 1

Step 2

Then, westbound motorists will be directed to drive in the north/right side travel lane. (Shown in green on map below.)

Crews will close the south/left side travel lane to change roadway striping and signage. (Shown in red on map below.)

Side streets south of First Street will be closed during night work.

Map 2
Map 2

More: Driving through the Colonial and I-75 construction zone.

Step 3

Finally, crews will open the south side travel lane to eastbound motorists while the north side lane remains open to westbound travel.

Map 3
Map 3

This is Phase I of a three-phase project. The first phase construction began in August 2021.

Phase I  will produce benefits quickly and efficiently, according to the official project website.

Improvements consist of new intersection traffic signals, lane configurations, pavement markings, and milling/resurfacing some intersections in the following areas:

  • First Street from Fowler Street to Allen Street

  • Second Street from Fowler Street to Seaboard Street

  • Seaboard Street from Second Street to First Street

Phase I will provide improved accessibility for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians, enhance urban design facilities, and reduce the vehicular speed limit to 30 miles-per-hour.

Phase II will refine the two-way conversion after Phase I is completed.  The City will take new traffic counts and request public input to determine additional improvements.

Phase III will examine Billy Creek bridge enhancements and evaluate possible roundabouts, subject to available funding.

Motorists are advised to use extreme caution while driving in this area during the month of June.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Fort Myers traffic flow will change for First, Second streets in city