The Florida Department of Transportation held a public hearing for its Able Canal Parkway project on Thursday, Feb. 7, inside Veterans Park Recreation Center in Lehigh Acres. PHOTO PROVIDED

The public got to weigh in last week about a proposed six-mile shared-use pathway that would link local parks, schools and communities in Lehigh Acres.

The Florida Department of Transportation held the public hearing on the $4.5 million Able Canal Parkway project on Thursday, Feb. 7, inside Veterans Park Recreation Center.

The hearing started with an open house, which was followed by a formal presentation and public comment period.

FDOT project staff members were on hand to hear from residents who came to share their concerns and ask questions before the presentation.

Jean Scott, a resident and member of the Town Lakes Homeowners Association, is one member of the community opposed to the pathway plan.

“Currently we have 425 empty lots, more than 300 homes, with a potential of nearly 900 votes. Most of us are not in favor of building this path. Our community used to be surrounded by a moat and has a guarded entrance. With this pathway going right through our community, it opens it up for anyone to just walk in. It turns our community from safe to not safe,” said Scott.

Another resident of Town Lakes seconded Scott’s fears.

“I own property by Harns Marsh and have experienced the illegal activities that go on over near there at night. ATV riding, gun shots and parties. I don’t want to see the same type of thing happen here in this neighborhood,” said Phil Casey.

Other community members such as Mohamed Yasin are in favor of the shared-use pathway.

“I think it can be a nice attraction to have here in Lehigh. People can bring their families and enjoy our parks and waterways,” said Yasin.

After the meet-and-greet, Steven Andrews, FDOT’s project manager, presented the proposed improvements, which consisted of constructing a new shared-use pathway along the north side of Able Canal where there currently is no continuous path. The six-mile pathway would run from Harns Marsh to Joel Boulevard and include features such as pavilions and rest areas along the way.

According to Andrews, the public hearing was being conducted to give interested persons an opportunity to express their views concerning the location, design, and social, economic, and environmental effects of the proposed pathway.

Planners chose the north side of the canal for the proposed pathway due to many factors, but environmental reasons were at the top of the list.

“After looking into the other options, the north side will have the least amount of environmental impact,” said Lauren Peters from the FDOT.

The FDOT has worked with community leaders on the conceptual design of the pathway connection, which would link local parks, schools and communities.

“We have looked at several proposed design ideas, but felt this was the best in regards, the cost, environmental impacts and easements,” said Andrews.

Following the workshop, FDOT listened to the public’s comments on the recommended alternative for the pathway.

“We will gather the input we get here tonight. Then we would have a 10-day window to finalize engineering and environmental evaluations and project documentation. The completed documentation will then be submitted to OEM for acceptance,” explained Andrews. “This hearing is to help us find out if residents want this pathway or not. We can then decide to build or not build. It’s not a done deal.”

The Able Canal shared-use pathway is a federally funded project that is estimated to cost under $4.5 million. The Lehigh Acres Municipal Services District would manage the pathway upon its completion.

Draft project documents will be available for public review from Thursday, Jan. 17, to Monday, Feb. 18, 2019 at the following locations: East County Regional Library, 881 Gunnery Road North, Lehigh Acres, FL 33971 and FDOT District One, Southwest Area Office, 10041 Daniels Parkway, Ft. Myers, FL 33913.

For more information regarding the project visit www.swflroads.com/ablecanalpathway/ or contact Mr. Steven Andrews, Project Manager Florida Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 1249, Bartow, Fl. 33831. Phone: 863-519-2270 or email: steven.andrews@dot.state.fl.us