Agenda 07/13/2021 Item #16A35 (I-75 at SR951 Interchange Improvements)07/13/2021
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Recommendation to direct the County Manager or his designee to work with the Florida
Department of Transportation to advance FPN 4258432 - I-75 (SR 93) at SR 951
Interchange Improvement from State Fiscal Year 24/25 to 22/23
OBJECTIVE: To secure funding from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and
advance a critical improvement to the transportation network.
CONSIDERATIONS: Planning for the ultimate I-75/SR 951 Interchange has been ongoing for
nearly 20 years, with the master planning efforts beginning in the early 2000s. The interchange
was first programmed in the FDOT Draft Tentative Work Program in 2015 in Fiscal Year (FY)
20/21, FDOT deferred the construction funding during three separate work program cycles to its
current programmed year of FY 24/25.
The ultimate interchange construction is vital to continue the economic development efforts in
the activity center and surrounding area. The County partnered with FDOT in 2011 to advance
the interim improvement within the interchange area, which consisted of widening SR 951
(Collier Boulevard) from 4 lanes to 8 lanes between Davis Boulevard and Magnolia Pond Road.
However, based on the 2020 Annual Update and Inventory Report (AUIR), the link of SR 951
(Collier Boulevard) between I-75 and Davis Boulevard is deficient in the p.m. peak hour, peak
direction taking into consideration vested trips. The vested trips on the link are associated with
significant development anticipated around the immediate interchange area approved in the early
2000s. With the recent approvals of the Amazon Distribution Center situated within the I-75
Collier Boulevard Commercial Center Planned Unit Development (PUD) and Uline Distribution
Center located in the City Gate PUD, many of the vested trips will now impact the system.
Therefore, the interchange improvements must remain a priority.
At the September 12, 2020, Collier Metropolitan Planning Organization meeting, FDOT District
1 Secretary LK Nandam announced an anticipated $1.5 shortfall in the FDOT’s statewide
revenue projections for the upcoming five years, and adjustments would be necessary for the
Work Program. On March 24, 2021, the State held the Revenue Estimating Conference, where
discussions took place regarding forecast adjustments based on decreased consumption of motor
fuels related to the pandemic’s effects, technological advances for fuel efficiency, and the
anticipated increase in the use of electric vehicles during the forecast period. This interchange
remains a priority not only for Collier County but also FDOT. While FDOT has maintained the
current programmed schedule in their work program, as revenues continue to be scarce, it may
become harder for FDOT to do so in the future. However, in March 2021, the American Rescue
Plan Act of 2021 was signed into law by President Biden, which will provide recovery funds to
States for distribution. Unfortunately, the provisions of the law related to restriction of use of
funds by the State are awaiting further guidance from the federal government to ensure proper
use. FDOT District 1, has submitted the I-75 at SR 951 Interchange improvement to FDOT
Central Office for consideration of funding, should it be an eligible expense.
The County reached out to FDOT to determine if there was a possibility for the Department to
advance and lock in the vital interchange improvements. FDOT has proposed a
design/build/finance opportunity. Collier County would commit non-reimbursable utility
relocation costs and finance costs paid to the contractor team and reimbursable stipends,
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construction engineering and inspection services consultant fees, and non-County utility
relocations. The total amount the County would be expected to provide prior to advertisement is
estimated at $16,624,797 of which $5,355,880 is non-reimbursable ($4,105,558 finance cost and
$1,250,322 non-reimbursable utility relocation costs). The remaining $11,268,917 would be
returned based upon an agreed-upon repayment schedule, with most of the reimbursement
occurring between FY 24 to FY 27 subject to legislative approval and appropriation.
If the County were to elect to partner with FDOT and advance the interchange improvements, the
proposed advancement would coincide with a design/build effort that the County will be
pursuing in FY 22/23 for the Collier Boulevard widening from Green Boulevard to the Main
Golden Gate Canal. The duration of travel inconvenience for the County's residents and visitors
would be reduced by coordinating these two projects.
FDOT has requested that the County advise them by July 2021 if there is a desire to move
forward with the advancement. County staff has reviewed the potential for American Rescue
Plan Act funding for such an advancement. However, while the infrastructure funding has been
approved at the federal level, further guidance regarding the specific allowable uses have yet to
be provided. This interchange improvement is key to the continued viability of the economic
development efforts in the immediate area. Therefore, based on the uncertainty of federal
infrastructure economic stimulus and FDOT’s short-term funding challenges, staff is
recommending the Board direct staff to work with FDOT to return with a formal agreement for
an advancement. Approval of this item does not preclude eligibility for the American Rescue
Plan Act funding for this specific improvement should the terms associated to receive the
funding become available prior to the execution of a formal agreement, which would come back
to this Board for approval.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding required for the subsequent agreement is estimated at
$16,624,797, of which $11,268,917 is reimbursable. The remaining $5,355,800 includes non-
reimbursable finance costs in the amount of $4,105,558 and non-reimbursable utility relocation
costs in the amount of $1,250,322. Sources of funding for this project would include a
combination of transportation impact fees, gas tax revenue, utility user fees and ad valorem tax
revenue.
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: This action is consistent with the Transportation
Element of the Growth Management Plan
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item has been reviewed by the County Attorney, raises
no legal issues and requires majority vote for approval. -JAK
RECOMMENDATION: That the County Manager or his designee coordinate with the Florida
Department of Transportation to bring back a formal agreement to advance FPN 4258432 - I-75
(SR 93) at SR 951 Interchange improvements from State FY 24/25 to FY 22/23.
Prepared by: Trinity Scott, Deputy Department Head, Growth Management Department.
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COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 16.A.35
Doc ID: 17449
Item Summary: Recommendation to direct the County Manager or his designee to work with the
Florida Department of Transportation to advance FPN 4258432 – I-75 (SR 93) at SR 951 Interchange
Improvement from State Fiscal Year 24/25 to 22/23
Meeting Date: 07/13/2021
Prepared by:
Title: Supervisor - Operations – Growth Management Operations & Regulatory Management
Name: Lissett DeLaRosa
07/06/2021 8:55 AM
Submitted by:
Title: Division Director - Operations Support – Growth Management Operations & Regulatory
Management
Name: Kenneth Kovensky
07/06/2021 8:55 AM
Approved By:
Review:
Growth Management Department Trinity Scott Growth Management Department Completed 07/06/2021 8:57 AM
Growth Management Operations Support Christopher Johnson Additional Reviewer Completed 07/06/2021 11:28 AM
Growth Management Department Lissett DeLaRosa Growth Management Skipped 07/06/2021 8:52 AM
Growth Management Department Trinity Scott Transportation Completed 07/06/2021 11:37 AM
Office of Management and Budget Debra Windsor Level 3 OMB Gatekeeper Review Completed 07/06/2021 11:48 AM
County Attorney's Office Jeffrey A. Klatzkow Level 3 County Attorney's Office Review Completed 07/06/2021 1:31 PM
Office of Management and Budget Susan Usher Additional Reviewer Completed 07/06/2021 3:57 PM
County Manager's Office Amy Patterson Level 4 County Manager Review Completed 07/07/2021 9:52 AM
Board of County Commissioners Geoffrey Willig Meeting Pending 07/13/2021 9:00 AM
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