Vanderbilt Drive construction in Naples still a nuisance for neighbors

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Residents have dealt with construction, noise and dust along a busy road in their neighborhood, and the project started two years ago.

Neighbors are starting to lose their patience.

“I’m ready to be able to drive freely down Vanderbilt Drive. I’m ready for them to get out of here and go,” one resident said.

The project spans 20 blocks along Vanderbilt Drive to 111th Avenue North in Naples and it’s a sight that those living along Vanderbilt Drive want gone.

“I feel like it’s going to be an unnecessary amount of time that there’re having to spend on this kind of project,” said Tucker Davis, a resident nearby. “I feel like it should be moving along at this point.”

That work started in October 2016.

“I’m learning the value of patience, it’s not one of my virtues, but I have no choice but to accept that this will be going on for another year,” said Bill McLaughlin who lives in the neighborhood.

Collier County said it would take two years to complete the project, replacing the water pipes and utilities along Vanderbilt Drive to 111th Avenue North. The 17.8 million dollar project impacts more than 250 homeowners.

But just like many neighbors, the project took a hit when Hurricane Irma blew in.

“Sometimes it can be a bit of an inconvenience here at Naples Park, I’ve been living here for 10 plus years,” said Jordan Andino who lives on Vanderbilt. “I’m honestly surprised to see some construction being done, but it’s been going on for a while now.”

The county has completed construction on five of the seven phases since Irma, leaving only utility replacement from Willet Avenue to Conners Avenue and the section of Vanderbilt that connects them.

But Davis says he’s just looking forward to finally getting some peace and quiet.

” I am extremely ready to see this thing be over with. I’m ready to get all of the tractors out of here,” he said.

The county first bumped the completion date to August of 2019 and just recently delayed it again to late September.

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