Q: Could you let us know what is going on at Davis and 951? Are they building a flyover there or are they redesigning that interchange into a cloverleaf? —Ryan Ryles, Naples
A: The flyover options planned at Davis, Beck and Collier boulevards are not nearly as simple as the overpass that was built years ago where Golden Gate Parkway flies over Airport-Pulling Road. Because the latest project on Collier Boulevard—or State Road 951—also involves changes to the Interstate 75 interchange at Exit 101, it’s a lot more complicated.
The Florida Department of Transportation intends to provide motorists with more options to alleviate the traffic congestion in that busy intersection of county, state and federal roads. FDOT’s more than $97 million interchange improvement project involves less than 2 miles of roads, but it includes the I-75 interchange and Collier Boulevard from City Gate Boulevard to Business Circle South. The work started last year and is estimated for completion in mid-2026, barring any weather delays, the contractor schedule shows.
The interstate’s southbound and northbound off-ramps will be reconstructed to create additional infield space to install single-lane, 200-foot radius loop ramps in the southwest and northeast quadrants. The northeast quadrant loop ramp will be connected to and accessible only by a direct flyover ramp from northbound Collier Boulevard with a starting point south of the Davis Boulevard intersection. This single-lane flyover ramp will carry traffic over Beck Boulevard and a reconstructed I-75 southbound on-ramp, FDOT reports.
A single-lane flyover ramp extension will carry I-75 southbound traffic over Davis Boulevard to a new traffic signal at the intersection at Collier Boulevard and Business Circle North. This ramp will extend along the western side of Collier Boulevard.
When the work is completed, motorists traveling southbound from North Naples, can still exit I-75 as they do now and then turn right at the intersection, or they can take the new ramp to fly over Davis Boulevard to touch down near the Amazon distribution center just south of Davis. This especially helps people traveling to Lely, Marco Island or other southern Collier locations by enabling them to avoid the busy Davis intersection. Motorists traveling north on 951 south of Davis can also avoid that intersection and save time by getting on a ramp to fly over Beck Boulevard and take a loop ramp to merge onto I-75.
The vertical concrete pilings for the elevated ramp have been taking shape along the east side of 951 in front of Waffle House, Cracker Barrel and the Holiday Inn Express on Tollgate Boulevard. Staging areas for construction materials and equipment also can be seen in that area.
Expect daytime lane closures between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on northbound Collier Boulevard from just south of Beck Boulevard to just south of the southbound on-ramp at I-75. Likewise, expect lane closures during the overnight hours of 9:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. on southbound Collier Boulevard between Beck and Business Circle North.
Motorists should expect the temporary closure of the outside right-turn lane from southbound 951 to westbound Davis. Drivers will still be able to turn right from the remaining open turn lane, but this closure is needed for crews to begin installing the force main and bridge foundation. The lane will remain closed through completion of the job.
Pedestrians should expect a sidewalk closure along Davis just west of 951 and along 951 between Davis and Business Circle North. Pedestrians may use Davis to Market Street to Business Circle South to access Collier Boulevard. Motorists should expect reduced lane widths for southbound Collier Boulevard between Business Circle North and Business Circle South.
One traffic option lost for this project is the dedicated right turn onto southbound 951 from eastbound Davis. This lane was permanently closed earlier this year, meaning motorists turning right off Davis must do so at the traffic signal.
Corner update
Q: Wondering if you have any information on the location at Santa Barbara and Davis. It’s the large empty lot going from the corner to right next to Seychelles community. Thanks. —Greg Leshinger, Naples
A: With a controversial rock-crushing operation behind them, the owners of the property on the southeast corner of Santa Barbara and Davis boulevards in East Naples are looking ahead to development plans there.
“Well, the sellers are keeping all options open,” said Nora Sharpe Beyrent on behalf of the longtime property owner, Highland Properties of Lee and Collier Ltd. “The sellers are not going to be the developers of the property. We’re just exploring all avenues.”
The more than 82-acre Taormina Reserve planned unit development at 4886 Santa Barbara Blvd. stretches east behind the Boys & Girls Club of Collier County, the county’s Domestic Animal Services and the Firano residential community. The PUD includes about 33 acres of preserve land and more than 17 acres on the hard corner of Davis and Santa Barbara earmarked for a possible mixed-use development. Another 32 acres is approved for up to 350 residential units, according to LSI Companies, the Fort Myers-based real estate firm that is listing the property for sale.
As mentioned, the independent rock-crushing operation on that corner has been completed and the rocks have been spread on the property as required, Beyrent said.
“The work on the property that’s currently going on is a requirement under our ERP, or environmental resource permit,” she said. “We’re required to build berms around the preserve to sod them, to plant them, and then of course, also to finish the lake per the county requirements as well. So that’s happening right now. We’re at the very tail end of that and almost ready to put the plantings in. Then we’ll begin the monitoring stage under our ERP.”
The “Tim Aten Knows” weekly column answers local questions from readers. Email Tim at tim.aten@naplespress.com.
