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Welcome to another edition of "Bumper to Bumper" our seasonal column dedicated to all things traffic in Southwest Florida.

With April arriving this week we should see some reduced traffic in the region as tourist season winds down and snowbirds return to their northern nests.

It doesn't mean the work is going to slow down on improving our roads. There are significant projects underway from Naples to Cape Coral with more on the planning board and being discussed.

Update: Collier's first Diverging Diamond Interchange

FDOT announced last week that ramp closures for the I-75 at Pine Ridge Road Interchange would start as part of the construction of Collier County's first Diverging Diamond Interchange.

The closures are scheduled on the following days between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., however this work is subject to change.

FDOT said motorists should take Livingston Road or Santa Barbara Boulevard/Logan Boulevard to use the Golden Gate Parkway (exit 105) or Immokalee Road (exit 111) interchanges to access I-75.

Please use extra caution and follow detour signage or seek alternate routes.

I-75 at SR 951 (exit 101) Interchange Improvements

A reminder about this significant project from FDOT:

What to know extended dates and hours:

Overnight Beck Boulevard detour scheduled for March 23-April 11.

To access Beck Boulevard from Collier Boulevard northbound motorists must turn right on the temporary Tollhouse Drive extension to south on Tollgate Boulevard.

During the nighttime/overnight hours of 8:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. from Sunday, March 23 through Friday, April 11 (excluding Friday and Saturday nights) Beck Boulevard is scheduled to be temporarily closed at Collier Boulevard (SR/CR 951). This closure is necessary for crews to begin bridge work on the east side of the intersection.

To accommodate access during these closures, a temporary roadway connection has been constructed just north of Beck Boulevard at Tollhouse Drive. There will be no direct southbound or westbound traffic through the intersection during these closures.

Motorists traveling westbound on Beck Boulevard will turn north on Tollgate Boulevard to west on Tollhouse Drive to travel north on Collier Boulevard.

Little Pine Island Bridge: Phase 1 nearing completion

The saga that is the rebuilding of the Little Pine Island Bridge added some new chapters last week.

It was bad news, and then it was some good news.

In case you missed it, the Florida Department of Transportation kicked off its project to rebuild the bridge late last year. It will be done in three phases. Currently, in Phase 1, the work being done has required making the road one lane and it has caused much stress this winter and now, into the spring.

There have been long lines of slow-moving traffic to get on and off Pine Island, frustrating residents and business owners, who are trying to cash in with seasonal tourists. Earlier this year, FDOT announced it would be taking steps to accelerate Phase 1 with an expected completion date of this spring.

There was some bad news this week regarding the project. A "concrete operation" − what FDOT referred to as a "significant milestone towards completion of Phase 1 of the project − was postponed twice. First, on Monday (March 24) and then again on Thursday (March 27).

But Friday (March 28), FDOT posted an update with photos:

The concrete (300 yards) for the deck slab has been poured for the Little Pine Island Bridge, the next phase includes paving operations and utility work. (The bridge is) built to last and capable of withstanding extreme loads and environmental stresses. It took just over six hours to complete. This marks a significant milestone towards completing Phase 1.

In fact, in another post later in the day on Friday, FDOT said:

Now that the concrete for the deck slab has been poured, the crew will move on to phase 2 ensuring that this structure embodies resilience and sustainability. The next phase includes paving operations and utility work.

Something to celebrate on Fort Myers Beach?

There was a lot of positive, hopeful chatter on social media last week regarding the completion of a paving project that is part of FDOT's San Carlos Boulevard (SR 865) project.

As of Monday (March 24) motorists can now access the northbound thru lane on San Carlos Boulevard heading off-island, marking a major milestone towards the final configuration of the intersection.

FDOT said motorists should still anticipate intermittent nighttime lane closures between the hours of 6 p.m. and 7 a.m. throughout the remainder of the project.

FDOT is reminding pedestrians that the northbound sidewalk near Margaritaville will remain closed until the crosswalks are complete. Pedestrians need to use the posted detour crossing at Crescent Street to access the beach. The opening of the sidewalk is anticipated for this summer.

On social media the comments were wide ranging regarding the news:

Poll results: Drilling down on beach traffic

We asked: Was the traffic this winter just the norm because of tourist and snowbird season? Or, was this the worst you have even seen? The focus was on Fort Myers Beach traffic, but could apply to any beach area, I-75 or US 41.

It was close as far as which way people are leaning. The "I've never seen traffic this bad in season" voters (58 percent of the votes) edged out the "It's always like this in season" voters (42%).

SWFL traffic: What's on your mind?

Your emails are pouring into my inbox and I love it. Keep them coming. Remember, it's OK to vent and tell me what is driving you crazy when it comes to our traffic crisis. Of course, your observations and ideas for helping to solve the crisis are always welcome!

Email anytime to mbickel@gannett.com.

Citrus County Commissioners panned an idea to waive local sand-pit regulations for landowners to provide fill for future legs of the Suncoast Parkway.

Commissioner Jeff Kinnard said the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) faced a significant shortfall of fill dirt for the pair of 5-mile sections of the parkway between County Road 486 and U.S. 19 north of Crystal River.

FDOT requested the county waive setback rules and the county public-hearing process to allow for sand pits within 5 miles of the parkway route.

The move outraged residents of the Pine Ridge community who are fighting a proposed 366-acre sand mine that is currently undergoing public review. A special master hears the case on June 27; County Commissioners have the final say.

The Suncoast Parkway opened at State Road 44 in Citrus County in February 2022. The 3-mile extension to C.R. 486 is expected to open in the Fall.

What follows is a pair of 5-mile extensions, both opening simultaneously when the parkway concludes at U.S. 19 in 2030.

FDOT District 7 Secretary Justin Hall said in an email to Kinnard that the state was shy of the necessary fill.

“Based on the current project requirements FDOT and its contractors would need to source approximately 4.5 million cubic yards of fill material within 5 miles of the project limits,” he wrote. “Currently the land development code and zoning requirements (including 500 feet setback and public hearing/meeting requirements) make this task unattainable within the project schedule and would lead to further project delays.”

Hall, however, told Commissioners on Tuesday that the concern no longer existed.

“They’ve been able to source the material,” he said. “I personally think the issue’s been addressed by the contractors.”

Citrus County Commissioners are under intense public pressure to curtail growth and slow new development. Pine Ridge residents were aghast that Kinnard would propose bypassing the public hearing process for a sand mine.

Kinnard noted that the county has a tremendous relationship with FDOT and should do what it can to ensure continued construction to the U.S. 19 terminus.

“We do not want that road stopping at 486, right at Pine Ridge’s entrance,” he said.

His colleagues weren’t sold.

“I’m really not OK with waiving the process,” Commissioner Holly Davis said. “I’m not in favor of changing anything.”

Commissioners will decide the sand-mine application. Kinnard said that, if approved, the mine will provide the necessary fill for the parkway extension.

Hall said FDOT has a backup plan if Commissioners vote down the sand mine. He said the agency is locating potential land to buy for parkway use that would be outside of local regulations.

Kinnard said he was happy with the conversation.

“It’s incumbent on the board,” he said, “to at least talk about it.”