Officials break ground on diverging diamond project

Florida Gov. Rick Scott joined local officials today to kick off construction of the state’s first diverging diamond interchange, located at the intersection of University Parkway and Interstate 75.

The $74.5 million reconstruction project is set to be complete by September 2017, in time for the World Rowing Championships at Nathan Benderson Park. It is expected to bring an estimated 120 direct construction jobs and an additional 400 indirect jobs to the Southwest Florida region.

“The growth we have seen in this area has been tremendous,” said Florida Rep. Greg Steube, who held lead efforts to advance the project. “We really need this type of improvement in infrastructure."

The overall project expands I-75 to an eight-lane freeway with three through lanes and an auxiliary lane in each direction from University Parkway south to Fruitville Road. The auxiliary lane will provide a dedicated travel lane between the two interchanges.

“There are going to be growing pains as they do the construction, but I think people will be satisfied when it’s done,” Steube said. “It’ll alleviate traffic congestion in this corridor.”