Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Project No. 6045662
(Phase 2) Construction Cost: $160 Million
Construction Start Date: December 2023
Anticipated Completion Date: Spring 2026
Contractor: SEMA Construction, Inc

Project Description

Project #6 (referred to as Phase 2) is the final segment of the 44th Avenue East Extension Project and will include approximately 1.9 miles of new roadway. Project #6 begins where Project #5 ends just west of I-75 and extends 44th Avenue East over I-75 to the existing intersection of 44th Avenue East and Solutions Lane on the east side of I-75. Lena Road will also be extended approximately 0.27 miles south of the roundabout. This added section will connect 44th Avenue East with the existing segment of Lena Road to the south continuing towards SR 70. (See project graphic for location details).

The Project #6 segment of 44th Avenue East will be a four-lane facility with bike lanes, divided median, curb and gutter, sidewalk, a multi-use trail, street lighting, utilities, drainage infrastructure, storm water management systems and a roundabout at the intersection with Lena Road. A new overpass across Interstate 75 and a bridge that will span the reclaimed lake on the existing County Southeast Water Reclamation Facility (SEWRF) are included in the project. The new segment of Lena Road connecting the 44th Avenue East roundabout and the existing Lena Road to the south will be a two-lane facility with divided median, curb and gutter, sidewalk, a multi-use trail, and street lighting.

Design/Permit Status

The design consultant is currently coordinating the following permits:

• The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for monitoring and mitigation of the bald eagle nests in the area.
• The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) for the Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) application submittals and modifications.
• The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) for modifications to the project Section 404 permit.
• The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for the aerial crossing of the I-75 right-of-way.

Land Acquisition

Land acquisition for 44th Avenue East and for the Lena Road connection is ongoing. Right-of-Way mapping has been prepared for the entire project corridor.

Current Activities

I-75 Median: Pile driving operations are now complete. Beginning the week of April 22, 2024, the contractor will begin the installation of pier footings. This activity is expected to continue through May 2024.

West of I-75: During the week of April 29, 2024, the contractor will begin excavation activities west of I-75, just north of The Ridge at Crossing Creek community. This work will be followed by construction of an embankment and retaining wall to prepare for the bridge over I-75.

East of I-75: Clearing, grubbing, soil and pond excavation, and grading activities are currently underway north of the Rosedale community. This work is expected to continue through late April 2024 and will be followed by construction of an embankment and retaining wall. Other project activities include utility and drainage work. The contractor will be mobilizing a crane northwest of the Rosedale community to prepare for upcoming pile-driving operations. This activity will move eastward toward Lakewood Ranch Boulevard. In early May 2024, the contractor will begin installation of a box culvert at the north end of the southern segment of Lena Road.

Construction activities are being conducted Monday through Friday, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., with nighttime work to occur on an as-needed basis. Residents are asked to be mindful of construction equipment and materials being operated and staged in right of way areas.

Download the project fact sheet.