Transportation Planning - Projects, Updates, Public Feedback
Safer. Smarter. Faster. More convenient. That’s the purpose of transportation planning. First, you plan – a long-term view of your transportation strategy. Then, you program – a near-term view of your projects and implementation plan.
--> Click here for details on the City's current transportation planning projects.
Transportation planning is the process of looking at the current state of transportation in the region, designing for future transportation needs, and combining all of that with the elements of budgets, goals, and policies. It helps shape how a city grows by evaluating everything from streets and highways to cargo ships to public transit and bike lanes. It can influence everything from business to recreation to quality of life.
Contributors to the Transportation Planning Process
The transportation planning process includes many contributors. All stakeholders' thoughts and ideas are critical to ensure a successful outcome.
Transportation Planning Goals
There are numerous important goals in the transportation planning process. The key is to balance them while designing a plan that meets the Transportation Planning Goals. 
Current Transportation Planning Projects
The Transportation Division's current planning projects are listed below. Click each one for more information, or scroll down to view information on all projects.
Multimodal Transportation Master Plan
The Multimodal Transportation Master Plan (Plan) updates the long-term vision for the City’s multimodal transportation system, providing policy direction and guidance for the implementation of transportation projects throughout the City during the short- mid- and long-term timeframes. Short-term projects can be included in the City’s 5-year Capital Improvement Plan. Mid-term projects have a 10-year horizon, and long-term projects have a 20-year horizon. It also updated the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan.
The completed Multimodal Transportation Master Plan includes almost 300 policies, programs, and projects. These projects will focus on improving safety, accessibility, and connectivity for all modes of transportation, including walking, biking, public transit, and driving. The plan also includes a comprehensive evaluation of the existing transportation system, identifying areas for improvement and potential future projects. This includes an analysis of current and projected population and employment growth and assessing existing infrastructure and potential future needs. The plan also considers the City’s goals for sustainability and reducing carbon emissions, focusing on promoting alternative modes of transportation to reduce reliance on single-occupancy vehicles.
The Multimodal Transportation Master Plan and Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan Update were approved by the City Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC) in March 2024. The Plan was approved concurrently with the directive to establish funding and implement five (5) immediate short-term priority projects, which are itemized below.
- Mobility Plan & Fee
- Corridor Planning Studies
- Areawide Local Roadway Speed Limit Study
- Micromobility Feasibility Study & Pilot Program
- South Cape Mobility Hub Planning Study
Click here to view the approval memo.
--> Click the image below to view the complete Multimodal Transportation Master Plan.
Next Steps
Moving forward, the City will begin implementing the policies, programs, and projects identified in the Transportation Master Plan. The priority projects may commence as early as FY 2024.
Residents with questions are encouraged to contact the Public Works Transportation Division at (239) 573-3192.
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State Road 78 - Pine Island Corridor Vision and Action Plan
The purpose of this study was to establish an integrated land use and transportation Vision Plan for a 9.2-mile segment of SR 78 / Pine Island Road extending from Burnt Store Road to US 41 / Cleveland Avenue through the City of Cape Coral in Lee County, Florida. This Vision Plan will guide transportation and land use-related decisions over the next 50 years.
When/Process Update:
City Council approved the Corridor Vision and Action Plan on October 18, 2023.
--> Click here to view the Council agenda with video links to the 10/18/23 Council Meeting.
State Road 78 – Pine Island Road Project Development and Environmental (PD&E) Study
The City and FDOT are proceeding with a Project Development and Environmental (PD&E) study now that the Pine Island Road Vision and Action Plan has been approved. This study will assess implementing the recommendations of the vision plan and meet the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act. During the study, the City will determine the location and conceptual design of feasible build alternatives for roadway improvements and their social, economic, and environmental effects.
When/Process:
The Project Development & Environmental Study is anticipated to commence by FY2025.
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Embers Parkway West Median Curbing & Access Management Project
The design is 100 percent complete. Please see below for updated exhibits.
Median Access Locations Exhibit (updated 2/7/24)
Embers Parkway Project Layout Exhibit (updated 2/7/24)
--> Click to see the Embers Parkway West presentation from June 28, 2023
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South Cape Downtown Parking Management Plan and Wayfinding & Branding Plan
The South Cape Downtown Parking Management Study aimed to address parking challenges in the South Cape Downtown area and develop effective strategies to enhance the overall parking experience for residents, visitors, and businesses.
The Parking Management Plan also included a Wayfinding & Branding Plan. The Wayfinding & Branding Plan includes a carefully crafted branding package designed specifically for the City of Cape Coral, with the goal of optimizing parking efficiency, ensuring safety, and enhancing the user experience for both residents and visitors.
In October 2023, the South Cape Downtown Parking Management Plan and the Wayfinding & Branding Plan were recommended for approval by the Council as guiding documents.
Next Steps
Moving forward, the City will begin implementation of the policies, programs, and projects identified in both plans. These projects may commence as early as FY 2024.
Evacuation Route Plan
Led by the Lee County MPO, the Cape Coral Evacuation Route Study is being developed in partnership with Cape Coral Staff. The Study will provide recommendations to help lower identified clearance times. These recommendations will include alternate evacuation routes, phased evacuation, and route capacity improvements. The evacuation study will consist of the following:
- Demographic and Land Use Analysis,
- Hazard Analysis for hurricane storm surge
- A review of the Behavioral Analysis
- Shelter Analysis
- Evacuation and Population Vulnerability Analysis
- Transportation Analysis
It will also collect data, including a City survey, and evaluate County/Regional Evacuation Transportation Networks. The study will include an inventory of all new roads, road projects that increase capacity, bridges, scheduled road projects, and projects that impact the evacuation route network. This study is estimated to be completed by 2024.
Interactive Growth Module Update (2023)
The Interactive Growth Model™ (IGM) Ver 2 is a web-based updated complex software package that forecasts population, housing, growth, demographics, and demand for schools, office, retail, industrial, etc., in 5-year increments to build out for several hundreds of zones. To date, the IGM is the most cost-effective product for addressing the city’s need to have socioeconomic data forecasted in a reliable manner.
The Phase I IGM report is available to view by clicking the cover page below.
