The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), District One, is conducting a Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study Re-evaluation for proposed improvements to SR 29 from CR 80A (Cowboy Way) to north of CR 731 (Whidden Rd) in Hendry County. These improvements are intended to improve traffic operations, access, and mobility along SR 29. FDOT anticipates this project will also enhance safety along the project corridor; improve emergency evacuation; and improve access between Hendry and Glades Counties. The project will widen sidewalks along the corridor and look at improvements at the intersections of SR 29 and Cowboy Way, SR 80 at Main Street and Bridge Street, and Park Avenue at Main Street and Bridge Street. The no-build alternative, where no improvements other than routine maintenance are made to SR 29, will remain viable throughout the remainder of this study.

FDOT held a public hearing for this project online (through GoTo webinar) and in-person (LaBelle Civic Center, 481 Hickpochee Ave., LaBelle, FL 33935) on April 29, 2025.Project documents were on display for public review and comment from April 8, 2025, through May 9, 2025, on the project webpage, at the Barron Public Library, and FDOT District One, Southwest Area Office. Public hearing comments were accepted in multiple ways and are considered a part of the project record.  See the Project Documents section below to view what was presented at the hearing.

Public Hearing Materials – April 29, 2025

·          Hearing Presentation Slides

·          Hearing Handout

·          Statutes Board

·          Title VI Board

·          Project Location Map

·          Typical Section 1 - Main Street South of SR 80

·          Typical Section 2 - Bridge Street South of SR 80

·          Typical Section 3 - Main Street North of SR 80

·          Typical Section 4 - Bridge Street North of SR 80

·          Typical Section 4 – North of the River

·          Typical Section – Caloosahatchee Bridge

·          Preferred Evaluation Matrix

·          Segment 1 - South of SR 80

·          Segment 2 – North of SR 80

·          Comment Board

·          Funding Board

·          Schedule Board

·          FEMA Flood Hazard Board

·          Welcome Board

Previous Outreach Materials:

FDOT held a second public workshop, with a live in person event on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, and a live online event on Thursday, February 1, 2024. Materials were also available for review and comment below from Wednesday, January 24, 2024. And comments for the workshop were accepted in multiple ways through Monday, February 12, 2024. To view what was presented at the workshop, see the Project Documents section below.

Second Public Workshop Meeting Materials – January 31 & February 1, 2024

• Workshop Video (Introduction)
• Workshop Video (South of SR 80)
• Workshop Video (North of SR 80)
• Workshop Handout
• Statutes Board
• Title VI Board
• Project Location Map
• Typical Sections – Section 1
• Typical Sections – Section 2
• Typical Sections – Sections 3 & 4
• Evaluation Matrix – Typical Sections
• Evaluation Matrix - Intersections
• Roll Plot – South of SR 80
• Roll Plot – North of SR 80
• Intersection Alternatives – Cowboy Way
• Intersection Alternatives – SR 80 – Conventional Signalized
• Intersection Alternatives – SR 80 – Bow-Tie
• Intersection Alternatives – Park Avenue
• Intersection Alternatives – Buser Road & CR 78
• Intersection Alternatives – Whidden Road

SR 29 City of LaBelle and Hendry County Joint Meeting Held on October 26, 2023

• Frequently Asked Questions
• Joint City and County Presentation

FDOT held a public workshop, with a live in person event on Wednesday, November 30, 2022  and a live online event on Thursday, December 1, 2022. Materials were also available for review and comment below from Wednesday, November 23, 2022. And comments for the workshop were accepted in multiple ways through Saturday, December 10, 2022. To view what was presented at the workshop, see the Project Documents section below.

Alternatives Public Workshop Held on November 30 & December 1, 2022

• 417878-8 SR 29 Comment Form
• 417878-8 SR 29 Project Handout
• FAQ Alternatives Public Workshop
• FDOT Title VI Board
• SR 29 CR 731 (Whidden Road) Intersection
• SR 29 CR 78 (Nobles Road) Intersection
• SR 29 CR80A (Cowboy Way) Intersection
• SR 29 Park Avenue Intersection
• SR 29 Project Area Board
• SR 80 at Main Street and Bridge Street Intersection
• SR29 Alternatives Public Workshop Presentation
• SR29 Matrix Board
• Statutes Board
• Welcome Board

1.      Will the SR 29 Project require removal of old historical buildings?

• No, historical buildings will NOT be impacted by this project.

2.      Will the SR 29 Project remove most of the existing trees?

• FDOT will make every effort to evaluate and save existing, healthy trees.

3.      Will the SR 29 improvements impact the Barron Library? Will it remove green space near the library?

• The proposed bridges will be located near the existing bridge within the existing FDOT right‐of‐way and will not impact the Library Building.
• Minor library property impacts are anticipated to provide a new/wider sidewalk that will provide better connectivity to Barron Park along DeSoto Avenue and along Park Avenue.

4.      What is the height of the proposed retaining wall south of DeSoto Avenue?

• Estimated to be 3 ft higher than the existing Bridge Street guardrail. 

5.      Will access to riverfront, library and city dock be eliminated?

• No, access will be maintained and enhanced for both pedestrians and vehicles with the preferred concept.

6.      Will right‐of‐way impacts along Main Street north of SR 80 cause businesses to lose their parking?

• North of Oklahoma Avenue, there are no planned parking impacts.
• Between Oklahoma Avenue and SR 80, R/W impacts previously shown have been eliminated with the preferred concept, however, during construction temporary construction easements may be necessary to complete the work at the existing right-of-way.

7.      Will the view under the bridge change after the proposed bridges are constructed?

• The proposed bridges will have slightly longer spans compared to the existing bridge spans, opening up the view from either side of Bridge Street.

8.      How will the roundabouts work?

• There are simulations provided in the Project Video titled “SR 29 Concept Re‐evaluation Study Presentation” under this project’s FDOT website https://www.swflroads.com/project/417878‐8.

9.      Can anything be done to improve the signals on SR 80 at Main Street and Bridge Street?

• The preferred bow-tie intersection concept will optimize the signal timing to help reduce backups and improve flow through intersections.
• Shifting the truck traffic to Bridge Street south of SR 80 will also help improve the traffic flow at intersections.

10. Will Improvements create a high‐speed facility on Main Street north of SR 80?

• No, the posted speed will be 25‐30 MPH with speed management elements and signs for no trucks.
• The new bridge will serve as a second option for passenger vehicles to cross the bridge and access SR 80.

11. Can a truck bypass route be added similar to Arcadia, DeLand, Lake Placid and Sebring?

• A feasibility study for a bypass route is currently underway, even with a bypass, this project is still warranted. More information on this study can be found at www.swflroads.com/project/453578-1 
• Majority of traffic is located between SR 80 and Whidden Road.

12. Will the Barron Park master plan be impacted by this project?

• No impact with Park Avenue preferred conventional signal concept.
• The preferred alternative intersection at Park Avenue does not impact the park's green space and actually provides more usable parking area due to the use of retaining walls instead of fill slopes.

13. When will FDOT take over Bridge Street south of SR 80?

• Once construction of this project is complete, Bridge Street will be designated as the FDOT truck route.