A proposed exit from I-75 to Cape Coral is once again gaining traction. Some Cape Coral council members recently traveled to Tallahassee to advocate for funding.
Donald Scott, Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization Director, said the plan goes back to 1989.
"We're already over 200,000 people in terms of population, and many residents are concerned about that congestion," said Jennifer Nelson-Lastra, Cape Coral city councilwoman.
Scott said it's only in the needs plan, so there's no funding behind it.
"If all the money was available, you still talk about 10 or 12 years out, and all the money's not available," he said.
He said what’s in the needs plan now is based on a map from 2006, showing a Del Prado extension, hugging Prairie Pines.
"That's actually one of the things about modeling some of the stuff for the North because that came up as part of land development out there," Scott said. "They said 'up here you don't have anything.'"
Naythen Camacho lives near the area. He said having a new I-75 is a plus because he already takes it to get to work. Nelson-Lastra agrees. Plus, she said it's essential during hurricane season
"If it doesn't happen, then that's going to be a huge issue for us, and we're definitely going to have to develop a solution," she said.
Camacho worries it may not be the solution for people in Cape Coral, and he has one major concern about the idea.
"As long as it's, like you said, people aren't getting displaced," Camacho said.
However, Scott said you can't ever 100% say nobody would be, but it is one of the things they look at.
The county, city and the Florida Department of Transportation are looking at a lot of options. Scott said they’ll have a clearer picture of the idea in December.
In the meantime, Camacho will continue to enjoy the great outdoors.
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