Vanderbilt Beach Road expansion project celebrates first phase completion

Collier County officials are celebrating the completion of the first phase of the Vanderbilt Beach Road expansion project, a seven-mile corridor connecting Collier Boulevard to 16th Street Northeast.

The project includes new bike lanes, shared-use paths, and updated traffic signals. County officials said the new corridor will help first responders reach emergencies more quickly as the area continues to grow.

County leaders are finalizing plans for phase two, which would extend the road to Everglades Boulevard and could begin construction early next year.

This project has been in development since the early 2000s as county leaders worked to prepare for rapid growth in the area.