Vanderbilt Beach Road Extension opens Friday in Collier County

According to Collier County, the new roadway is scheduled to open to traffic Friday at or after 10 a.m.

The seven-mile extension stretches from Collier Boulevard to 16th Street Northeast, marking the completion of Phase One of one of the largest road projects Collier County has ever undertaken.

County leaders say the need for the road was first identified in 2006 as population growth continued to put more pressure on existing roadways.

“It was needed in 2006 for the population that had arrived by then, let alone those that came in the next 17 years. It’s going to just improve the overall quality of life for all of our residents,” said Collier County Commissioner William McDaniel.

County officials say the extension is expected to provide another east-west route for drivers, help reduce congestion on nearby roads and improve access for emergency responders.

Steve Tischer lives just feet from the new roadway and says he’s excited to finally see it open.

“I think it’s fantastic. It’s gonna be great. Response time is gonna be way, way better, and it takes a lot of pressure off Immokalee Road during rush hours,” Tischer said.

The opening marks the completion of Phase One of the project, but county leaders are already looking ahead.

A second phase is in the final stages of design and would extend the roadway another two miles east, from 16th Street Northeast to Everglades Boulevard.