New SR31 expected to open in May ’27
The “new” State Road 31 — the long-awaited, reconfigured five-mile stretch beginning near the Wilson Pignott Bridge and running north — will open in May 2027.
Syd Kitson, chairman and CEO of Kitson & Partners, and the developer of Babcock Ranch, said they spent $85 million to improve the road from Lake Babcock Drive down to Bayshore Road for the first phase of the SR 31 improvements.
“By next May, the five-mile stretch will be open,” he said of the new four-lane road being built perpendicular to the existing two-lane highway.
The divided roadway is east of the existing SR 31 and is designed for future expansion to six lanes from Bayshore Road to Cypress Parkway.
He said although they want people to stay at Babcock Ranch, as they have provided all the services to enable people to stay – shopping, working, recreation – realistically, there are still jobs that people need to leave the community for.
This is why Kitson wanted to invest in improving the road, to ensure a smooth and safe commute.
“Having that four lanes in place will dramatically impact the safety and the controlled volume of traffic that goes through to SR 80,” he said.
Kitson said the stretch will be 45 mph and includes several roundabouts to control the traffic and make it a safer stretch at Lake Babcock Drive, Fox Hill Road and Shirley Lane.
He said they are very proud of the roundabouts at Babcock Ranch, as the speed is much slower – 25 mph throughout the community, which allows residents to put golf carts on the road.
“We talked about transportation and wanted it to be unique. The entire spine road of Babcock there are roundabouts, no lights, all throughout the community there are no traffic lights,” Kitson said. “It’s interesting to see how other communities and other places are starting to implement the strategy.”
He said DEP just announced that it is moving forward with the Wilson Piggott Bridge, which is a game changer for everybody in the whole area.
“The bridge has failed because the traffic has increased,” Kitson said, not just because of Babcock Ranch, but because it is a major thoroughfare from Fort Myers to Orlando. “Up north there are a plethora of mines that send the trucks all the way down to SR 31. The flow (will be) much smoother and with the new bridge going in – getting out to SR 80 to 75 will be a much easier commute.”
The second phase includes the widening of 1.4-miles between Palm Beach Boulevard (S.R. 80) and Bayshore Road (S.R. 78) on S.R. 31 from two lanes to a six-lane divided roadway. The Wilson Piggot drawbridge is also part of the scope of work, as it will be replaced with a high-span fixed bridge and reconfiguring the SR 31 and SR 80 intersection.
The proposed span is east of the existing bridge with six lanes and a 57-foot vertical clearance above the Caloosahatchee River.
Kitson said they are grateful to FDOT and the state of Florida, as they are taking a strong innovative approach to get the transportation system one of the best in the country. He said he applauds them for the work they are doing.
To reach Meghan Bradbury, please email news@breezenewspapers.com