Collier County Unveils New Plan for $37.3M Airport-Pulling Road Widening Project

Collier County Unveils New Plan for $37.3M Airport-Pulling Road Widening Project

Collier County is preparing to unveil an updated design for its long-anticipated $37.3 million project to widen Airport-Pulling Road between Vanderbilt Beach Road and Immokalee Road. The goal is to ease traffic congestion in the rapidly growing area, but not everyone is on board with the proposal.

The updated design features six 11-foot lanes, a raised median ranging from 22 to 29 feet, curb and gutter on both sides, a 10-foot-wide sidewalk on the west side, and a six-foot sidewalk on the east. It also includes improved stormwater drainage and new street lighting. County officials say the upgrades will enhance traffic flow and improve emergency response times, according to a recent article by Mahmoud Bennett of FOX 4.

Residents will have the chance to weigh in during a public meeting scheduled for Thursday evening at North Collier Regional Park. But even before the official presentation, some locals are voicing concerns.

Ansuya Rathor, a nearby resident, worries the extensive construction could disrupt daily life and strain the local environment.

“Since we’re located right between Immokalee and Vanderbilt, this construction will definitely affect us,” she said. “I support reducing traffic, but I’m passionate about protecting the environment. Projects like this make me nervous when they start interfering with natural areas.”

Others question whether the expansion will solve the area’s traffic problems at all.

“You can add more lanes, but traffic will always be an issue unless you expand the whole city,” said a local truck business owner.

Still, some believe the widening is both overdue and necessary. Arman Allahi, co-owner of a 7-Eleven at Immokalee Road, said congestion has steadily worsened over the years.

“Every year it gets busier,” he said. “We see traffic backed up all the time. Expanding the road would definitely help customers get in and out more easily and boost business overall.”

Funding for the project is partially coming from the Collier County One-Cent Sales Surtax. County officials say the design is nearing completion, with construction potentially beginning as soon as fall 2026.

This article originally appeared on FOX 4.

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