Project Description

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), District One, completed a Project Development and Environment (PD&E) study on October 14, 2019 for proposed improvements to Harborview Road from Melbourne Street to west of I-75 in Charlotte County. The Build Alternative was selected as the Preferred Alternative and the Office of Environmental Management accepted this Preferred Alternative. These improvements are intended to improve connectivity and circulation between US 41 and I-75, as well as improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists. The Harborview Road PD&E study evaluated widening Harborview Road from a two-lane road to a four-lane road with a median. The project limits are from Melbourne Street to I-75 in Charlotte County.

The project has proceeded to the next phase, final design. The FDOT is preparing a Design Change and Right-of-Way Authorization Re-evaluation for this project. Design changes include 10-foot wide shared-use paths on both sides of the roadway instead of seven-foot buffered bicycle lanes and six-foot sidewalks, and a 22-foot roadway median instead of 30-feet. With the shared-use paths separated from the travel lanes, this design offers a safer travel environment for bicyclists. The primary design change in the horizontal alignment occurs at the first road curve near Laverne Street. The curve is being flattened from the PD&E recommended alignment to enhance safety for motorists. It will also improve access to the parcels on the south side of the roadway. Additional right-of-way is required throughout the corridor due to raising the road profile due to the high-water table and accounting for sea-level rise. Stormwater pond sites have been evaluated in greater detail and better defined.

Need for the Project 

The proposed widening improvements for Harborview Road will accommodate increased traffic demand, including truck traffic, generated by projected growth in Charlotte County. FDOT anticipates this project will also enhance safety along the project corridor; improve emergency evacuation; and improve connectivity between US 41 and I-75. The Charlotte County-Punta Gorda Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) identifies this project in their 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) Cost Feasible Plan. 

Project Funding

Funding for the design phase is included in the FDOT's Adopted Five-Year Work Program and design is underway. Right-of-way acquisition is currently included in fiscal year 2023 and 2024. Construction is currently included in fiscal year 2026 for a portion of the project.

Public involvement was an integral part of the Harborview Road Project Development and Environment (PD&E) study. FDOT used several activities to engage interested parties in the study process, including small group meetings, a public information workshop and a formal public hearing.

A public hearing is tentatively scheduled for summer 2023 to present the Design Change and Right-of-Way Authorization Re-evaluation to the public.

Public Hearing - March 2019

Meeting Video: Harborview Road PD&E Study - Public Hearing - YouTube

Public Information Workshop - March 2018

Meeting Video: Harborview Public Information Workshop - YouTube