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Lee County approves $15.1 million contract for 12-foot shared path along Abel Canal
Summary
The county awarded a $15.1 million contract to build a 12-foot-wide, roughly 6-mile shared path along Abel Canal in East Lee County; the project includes benches, bike repair stations, dog-waste stations and is funded by a mix of FDOT grants and park impact fees.
The Lee County Board on June 3 approved a $15,100,000 contract to construct the Abel Canal Pathway, a 12-foot-wide shared-use path running about six miles through Lee County's Lambshead right-of-way.
Ehab Girgis, speaking for the county's construction and management staff, described the project and its amenities. "This item to approve a contract was pavement maintenance in the amount of $15,100,000, to build the shared path, along, Abel Canal to the north side of the canal, in the Lambshead right of way. The path would be 12 feet wide, 6 miles long," he said, and added the project will include three bike repair stations, 17 benches, three dog-waste stations, three shady structures and three bike racks.
Staff said the project begins at Harns Marsh Reserve and ends at Jubile Bar (as presented in the agenda). Construction was estimated to take about 22 months. Funding sources cited in the staff presentation included a grant from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), regional park impact fees and other park impact fee revenues.
A public speaker representing local interests thanked staff and suggested coordinating a 5K ribbon-cutting or opening events when construction completes. The board approved the contract unanimously with no substantive amendments recorded.
Commissioners noted the project advances active-transportation options in East Lee County and provides safer pedestrian and bicycle connections for schoolchildren and residents, according to comments during the motion.
No detailed construction schedule beyond the 22-month estimate was provided in the oral presentation; staff indicated they are available for follow-up questions.
