Collier County I-75 widening project in the home stretch

NAPLES, Fla.- Drivers in Collier County can be expecting a bit more construction as the I-75 expansion project is on its final stretch.

Governor Rick Scott held a press conference in Naples on Thursday to discuss the project.

“We’re spending the money doing the right projects. This project is an important project–expanding six lanes all the way from Alligator Alley to the Lee County Line,” Gov. Scott said.

“It’s a project that will make a real difference here in Collier County. It’ll make it easier to get to work, and more importantly make it easier to get back home to your family,” Jim Boxold, the secretary for the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) said.

Crews will be adding an extra lane and a wider shoulder to both north and southbound lanes of I-75.

Gov. Scott says now is the perfect time for this expansion as the local population continues to grow.

“We’re spending the money doing the right projects. This project is an important project, expanding six lanes all the way from Alligator Alley all the way to the Lee County line,” said Scott.

The Florida Department of Transportation has already started construction on the project which will stretch from Collier Boulevard to Golden Gate Parkway.

It’s the last 5 mile stretch of the $32 million project. It is expected to be completed in 2017.