If there was any lack in clarity with what the Village of Estero is expecting to get from the Florida Department of Transportation when it comes to a historic I-75 widening project, a letter from Engage Estero makes it crystal clear.
Engage Estero is an all-volunteer, nonpolitical, nonprofit community engagement association. The association informs citizens of significant community issues and encourages citizen engagement to favorably impact the quality of life in greater Estero.
In a letter addressed to Alex Ruiz at FDOT dated May 4, 2026, Engage Estero President Allan Bowditch pushed for more answers from Ruiz, or anyone in a leadership role, after FDOT was a last minute no-show at an April 17 Engage Estero meeting that drew more than 130 concerned citizens.
Ruiz is listed on the FDOT website as the Corridors Program Construction Manager.
The April 17 meeting was specifically set up to give Estero residents a chance to ask questions and read statements regarding their worries about the potential for noise pollution created by the widening project, which was approved in late 2024.
Brian Bollas, the community outreach manager for District 1, was on the April 17 meeting agenda but was unable to attend, something Bowditch addressed in his letter.
“This meeting had been coordinated and agreed upon several months in advance, with FDOTscheduled to present on the proposed I-75 widening through Estero − an issue of significantimportance to our residents. On April 15, just two days prior to the event, we received a briefnotice stating that FDOT would be unable to attend due to “unforeseen circumstances,” along with a suggestion to revisit the discussion in the Fall,” Bowditch wrote in the letter. “The proposal to revisit this in the Fall does not address the immediate concerns of residents who had prepared to participate in good faith on April 17.”
What is the SW Florida I-75 widening project?
The project will encompass widening on a 18.5-mile stretch on I-75 from Golden Gate Parkway (Collier County) to Corkscrew Road in Estero (Lee County).
On the FDOT web page for the project it says: The purpose of this project is to increase capacity and improve traffic operations, accommodate future traffic demand, and enhance safety along the mainline of I-75. This project only includes widening I-75. There would be no improvements to the interchanges, except for ramp modifications.
The work will be done in sections with some stretches going from 6 to 8 lanes and other sections from 6 to 10 lanes.
From Immokalee Road to Corkscrew Road the project calls for a widening to 10 lanes, which is why Estero resident are particularly interested to hear from any FDOT representatives about noise mitigation efforts. Those who spoke at the April 17 meeting expressed their concerns about a threat to their quality of life and property values.
FDOT had announced a public hearing for the project for August 2025 and it was postponed.
Regarding clarity and expectations for the project and communication between FDOT and Estero residents, Bowditch wrote:
Given FDOT’s stated commitment to public engagement, we respectfully request:
Bowditch added that Engage Estero “respectfully requests a written response in the next 10 business days addressing these issues.” That would mean by today (May 14).
The News-Press and Naples Daily News connected with Bowditch on May 12. He said he has not gotten a response.
In response to The News-Press and Naples Daily News email about the project and the concerns of the Estero community, Bollas said in an email on May 1:
“We understand that noise concerns are a key issue for residents, and we take that feedback seriously,” Bollas said. “FDOT continuously evaluates potential measures to help minimize impacts, including noise, as part of our project planning and development process. Community input plays an important role in shaping those considerations.”
What questions were asked at the Engage Estero meeting?
You can watch this YouTube video. A microphone was provided for citizens to ask questions and read statements. Bowditch said the question were forwarded to FDOT.
Do you have an opinion about this topic?
Write a letter to the editor and send it to: letters@naplesnews.com and/or mailbag@news-press.com. Keep it to 250 words or fewer and include your contact info. Have more to say: Send a guest column of no more than 600 words.
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This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: I-75 project: Civic group’s letter underscores frustrations with FDOT
Reporting by Mark H. Bickel, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Fort Myers News-Press
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