Road work could get tax boost

Lee County's new five-year road-building plan includes more than $780 million in spending on roads, bridges and overpasses, including almost $87 million solely for cost increases in already budgeted projects.

But what likely will get the most attention is what the list doesn't include.

With budget workshops scheduled to begin June 21, commissioners will get their first look at the proposed new capital budget on Monday. They'll also get a look at a short list of projects that should be done but that aren't included in the budget.

Squarely atop that list is the Estero Parkway extension, a proposed four-lane road across Interstate 75 between Three Oaks and Ben Hill Griffin parkways. The cost of that project, driven by big increases in the huge amount of concrete and steel needed to bridge the interstate, rose by $17.5 million this year.

That means the road is now scheduled to be built in fiscal year 2007-08 instead of 2006-07.

"There are a few projects where the issue is money, not production," said Dave Loveland, chief transportation planner for the county.

With huge jumps in property values announced this week expected to drive a revenue increase of almost $140 million next year, county commissioners could decide to use property tax dollars to get roads done sooner.

"We're just laying it out there as an option," Loveland said.

For the first time ever, commissioners last year dipped into property taxes to build roads, establishing a $30 million loan fund. Most of that has already gone into Estero-area road projects, with $22.5 million going to buy land needed for Estero Parkway and Three Oaks.

Another $5 million went into the future widening of Three Oaks and $1 million went to a project to ease the curve on East Corkscrew Road.

That money will be a while coming back, Loveland said. The fund is set up to be repaid by road impact fees collected in the future. Loveland said the county will get around $3 million in the next five years.

Other possibilities for advancement are the widening of Gladiolus Drive, the widening of Summerlin Road, the replacement of the Matlacha Pass bridge and the northern extension of Three Oaks Parkway to Daniels.

Advancing them all would cost more than $100 million. That's unlikely, but commissioners are hearing about their options, and will hear more.

"We've talked to staff a little bit, and we've had conversations with (the Southwest Florida Transportation Initiative) as well," said Don Eslick, chairman of the Estero Council of Community Leaders.

Eslick said he thinks it makes good sense to get projects done now, before another year of cost increases.

"Costs go up so fast," he said. "We may save another 15 or 20 percent of the cost. There are some enormous savings out there."

Loveland said there are other projects commissioners have mentioned. For instance, Commissioner Ray Judah talked about splitting the $6.6 million increase in the Imperial Parkway cost with the city of Bonita Springs. That's a city project, but a county road north of the city limits.

Commissioners will get their first look at the building budget during a monthly planning workshop Monday. It will take place at 1:30 p.m. at the Old Lee County Courthouse in downtown Fort Myers.