$1 mil in bus stop upgrades will meet ADA standards

Lee County plans to update 1,700 LeeTran bus stops. The first 100 stops will cost more than $1 million. The price for the other 1,600 is unknown.

The first 100 bus stops will be updated to meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards. This comes after a lawsuit was filed.

With the continued growth of Lee County, that means more traffic. It’s the reason Melinda Iwanski takes the bus during the busy season.

“Definitely more convenient during snowbird season because we have a lot of traffic once everyone starts coming down from Ohio and New York,” Iwanski.

Audrey Forrest has used the bus for 30 years.

“There’s a lot of good reasons to take the bus because people drive really bad every day,” Forrest said. “And when you’re on the bus you’re more safer than if you’re in your own car.”

The first phase of the of the project improves more than 100 stops, bringing them into compliance with the ADA.

“These are things like making sure the ramps from the sidewalks to the bus stop area are appropriate, making sure there is a concrete landing pad so that again they’re not having to roll through the grass,” Lee County Commissioner Brian Hamman said.

Thirty-nine stops will get shelter added to them. That’s Iwanski’s favorite newly added feature.

“I like this because,” Iwanski said. “It rains. We live in Florida, so it’s important to have some kind of shelter.”

Hamman said they don’t have a timeline or price tag for the rest of the stops to received upgrades. The county said 10,000 people ride county buses daily.

Trust WINK News to update you as more information becomes available.