Officials cut ribbon for Littleton Road-Kismet Parkway realignment
It has been a long time coming, and maybe long overdue, but on Tuesday, officials from Cape Coral and Lee County and others came to the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly constructed Littleton Road-Kismet Parkway realignment.
The Lee County Board of County Commissioners and Cape Coral Mayor John Gunter were on hand for a 10-minute ceremony to commemorate the completion and to cut the ribbon on the already completed project.
The project was a county priority and a joint venture with the city. The cost of the project was about $4 million, half of which was paid through impact fees and contributions from the Cape.
Commissioner Brian Hamman said this will make the Kismet/Littleton thoroughfare much safer for those in Cape Coral who need to get to work across the river.
“It always looked like something that needed to happen, by connecting the two roads. As this area started to grow, it only seemed more necessary because it was dangerous to have to stop, and make left and right turns,” Hamman said.
The construction project realigned Kismet Parkway and Littleton Road at Northeast 24th Avenue. The new Littleton Road alignment is a four-lane divided roadway with streetlights. This project also included the construction of a 4-foot on-road bike lane on each side of the road. There is also now a 6-foot concrete sidewalk on the north side of the road and an 8-foot sidewalk located to the south.
The intersection of Corbett and Littleton roads has been replaced by a lighted two-lane roundabout.
Gunter said it was a perfect partnership between the city and Lee County to create another way for people to get to and from Fort Myers.
“This will not only enhance transportation, but also mainstream an access point between this city and downtown Fort Myers,” Gunter said. “This just enhances the quality of life.”
Danny Ballard, president of the North Fort Myers Civic Association, said this was long overdue and he watched the progress daily, living just down the street.
“The roundabout seems to be working well. The lights they put up really lights things up at night,” Ballard said. “Now that this is over, they can start the next phase.”
The conclusion of this project clears the way for the next project on Littleton Road, adding a third lane from Corbett Road to U.S. 41. That project should be ready for a groundbreaking either late this year or in early 2022.