The Southwest Connect™ Central Corridor limits extend north along I-75 from north of Bayshore Road (SR 78) in Lee County to south of the River Road (SR 777) interchange in Sarasota County, approximately 45 miles in length.

In Charlotte County, I-75 crosses the navigable Peace River between US 17 and Harbor View Road. Roadway classification within the Central Corridor limits is primarily Rural Principal Arterial – Interstate. Segments designated as Urban Principal Arterial – Interstate are within the urbanized Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte areas in Charlotte County and an area between N Toledo Blade Boulevard and Sumter Boulevard in Sarasota County. This segment of I-75 is a six-lane divided facility with a minimum right-of-way (ROW) width of 324 feet. Typically, the ROW is wider at interchanges or locations where northbound and southbound travel lanes follow separate alignments.

The Department is conducting a Planning and Feasibility study from north of Bayshore Road (SR 78) in Lee County, through Charlotte and Desoto Counties, to south of River Road (SR 777) in Sarasota County that makes up and will evaluate the future needs of the I-75 Central Corridor in District One. This study will evaluate strategies for the mainline and interchanges, including managed lanes, that will improve accessibility, mobility, and safety. Results of this study will be documented in this corridors Master Plan.

The Master Plan will allow FDOT to focus future efforts and funding by prioritizing the most critical areas. It also analyzes the existing and expected future traffic, or demand, on the interstate system. This long-range approach provides a regional perspective to identify the areas where future demand is predicted and to assist in defining the Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study limits for the corridor. Improvements identified in this Master Plan may include widening, managed lanes, modifying interchanges, and evaluating requests for new interchanges.

South Corridor Limits:  Interstate 75 from north of Bayshore Road (SR 78) to south of River Road (SR 777)

Please visit the project website at www.swflinterstates.com/i75-central-corridor/

To send a comment or ask a question about this project, visit www.swflinterstates.com/get-connected/.