Residents living in the Six L's Farm Road neighborhood are voicing urgent concerns about the deteriorating condition of their roads.
The roads, which include Sunny Grove Avenue, Lasko Lane, Labrador Lane, Ladybug Lane, Laertes Lane, Lafayette Lane, Lager Lane, and Tomato Road, are full of dips, bumps, and potholes, making them difficult to drive on, especially after heavy rains.
Some residents have tried to fix the road themselves, filling in the holes with rocks and old shingles. But they say it’s not enough – they’re tired of doing it on their own and need the county to step in and help.
“This is an emergency. Not another two weeks, we need help now,” one resident told the Collier County Commission at a meeting on Tuesday.
The problems have only gotten worse since Hurricane Debby, and residents say they can’t wait any longer for a solution.
Josh Ferris, a Marco Island police officer who lives on Laertes Lane with his wife and four kids, knows the risks all too well.
“Emergency drivers can’t get back here. An ambulance cannot get back to certain parts of this neighborhood. You would see a loss of life at this point, especially if we have another storm,” Ferris said.
Because these roads are private, the county isn’t legally allowed to maintain them. But, commissioners are figuring out ways around the rules. They plan on creating a tax bracket for residents to pay and receive road maintenance services.
In two weeks, the county commission will vote on it and put out a bid for a contractor to do the roadwork.
There’s no clear timeline for when the work will start, but Ferris and other residents are hopeful that help is on the way.