Ortiz Avenue widening project triggers overnight traffic shift on Wednesday

LEE COUNTY, Fla. (WINK)—Lee County Department of Transportation is asking drivers to use caution on Ortiz Avenue next week as crews shift southbound traffic between Colonial Boulevard and the roundabout at Hanson Street.

The shift is part of the county's Ortiz Avenue Widening Project, a prioritized project of the Lee Board of County Commissioners. Crews will move southbound traffic onto the new roadway on the east side of the corridor from Colonial Boulevard to the Hanson Street roundabout.

The work is scheduled to happen midweek, likely during the overnight hours of 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 29, to 6 a.m. Thursday, July 30. Flaggers and law enforcement will be on-site to assist motorists.

Motorists are advised to choose alternate routes during the overnight traffic shift, if possible. Those using the road should proceed with caution and pay close attention to the new stop locations before proceeding to the live lanes.

The Ortiz Avenue Widening Project increases the roadway from two lanes to four travel lanes and includes a 6-foot sidewalk on the east side of the road and a 10-foot paved trail on the west side. On-road bike lanes will also be included, new street lighting will be installed, and a grass median will separate traffic.

The roundabout intersection with Hanson Street will remain as is. Construction is scheduled to be complete later this year at a cost of about $31 million.