During the Design phase, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), District One, proposed improvements on State Road (SR) 865 in Fort Myers, Lee County. The project limits are from Linda Loma Drive to Kelly Road. The purpose of the project is to provide improvements along SR 865 with the intent of enhancing safety along the corridor.

In construction, the project includes constructing chicanes, or concrete traffic islands, which narrows the roadway to discourage speeding. The chicanes were constructed in each direction on SR 865. Two additional traffic islands were proposed within the existing two-way left-turn lane for added traffic calming. Additional improvements included the installation of new signage and pavement markings. The Department also explored additional safety improvements as the design project progressed.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), District One, invited the public to the State Road (SR) 865 from Linda Loma Drive to Kelly Road Public Meeting. This meeting was held as a follow-up to the previous meeting conducted on March 30, 2023. The Department appreciated the input from the public and its partners and provided updates on the modifications made to the design as a result of the feedback received. For convenience, FDOT offered three ways to participate:

1. In-Person Option: Attendees could join in person on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Cinnamon Cove Clubhouse, 11650 Caravel Circle, Fort Myers, Florida. The meeting followed an "open house" format. Attendees who were not feeling well were advised not to attend the in-person meeting.

2. Virtual Option: A virtual meeting was held on Thursday, August 10, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and could be accessed from a computer, tablet, or mobile device. Participants were able to register in advance at https://tinyurl.com/SR865-LindaLoma-to-Kelly. Upon registration, attendees received a confirmation email with information for joining the online meeting. (Note: Internet Explorer could not be used to register or attend the webinar.)

FDOT previously held a public meeting (online and in person) on Thursday, March 30, 2023, to present project information and provide an opportunity for the public to offer feedback. While comments and questions about the project could still be submitted at any time, the official public meeting comment period was closed.

Copies of the public meeting materials will be available for viewing in the Project Documents section. A copy of the public meeting video presentation will be available in the Project Videos section. 

FDOT solicits public participation without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or family status.

• Attendance at a live event was not required in order to submit a comment. Comments could be submitted at the live meeting, through the website, or by using the contact information provided on the other side of the notification. While comments about the project were accepted at any time, those wishing to have their comments included in the formal public meeting record were asked to submit them by August 22, 2023.

Why is FDOT changing the roadway on San Carlos Boulevard?

FDOT is making these changes because San Carlos Boulevard has a history of serious crashes.
This project is part of FDOT’s Target Zero initiative—to eliminate all traffic fatalities and serious injuries. The changes are designed to:

• Slow down vehicles using chicanes and a lower speed limit
• Improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists
• Provide better lighting and safer crossing points

The goal is simple: reduce crashes, save lives, and create a safer road for everyone.

What are chicanes?

Chicanes are gentle curves added to a straight road to slow down traffic. They require drivers to steer left and right, which naturally reduces speed. Unlike speed bumps, chicanes don’t cause abrupt jolts—they calm traffic by changing the path of travel.

They are designed to be safely navigated at or below 35 mph. Going faster makes it more difficult to stay in your lane, encouraging drivers to slow down.

What is a mid-block crossing?

A mid-block crossing is a pedestrian crosswalk placed between intersections, rather than at a corner. These are especially useful in areas where people often need to cross the road away from traffic lights.
Mid-block crossings improve safety by giving pedestrians clear, designated places to cross—and alerting drivers to slow down.