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CRA, LeeTran unveil plan for nine ADA-compliant bus shelters in Fort Myers redevelopment zones
Summary
The Community Redevelopment Agency and LeeTran presented a plan to install nine new, mostly metal-perforated, solar-friendly bus shelters across CRA zones to improve ADA access and rider experience; placements depend on right-of-way availability and funding allocations.
The Community Redevelopment Agency and LeeTran outlined a plan to install nine new bus shelters across Fort Myers' Community Redevelopment Agency zones to improve ADA accessibility and rider comfort.
"We're very excited about getting these bus shelters in because the current shelters are not appealing and discourage ridership," Melanie Long of the CRA said, introducing the project. She said shelters were included in the CRA plan and budget and that the agency intends to roll the program out over multiple years.
Dawn Huff, planning and scheduling manager for LeeTran, said the shelters are the agency's standard newer model, made from aluminum with perforated metal panels (not clear acrylic) to reduce bird collisions. The shelters include an advertising panel with a solar-powered lighting option and can be powder-coated in a color palette; the CRA indicated a darker blue tied to local color schemes is preferred.
Placement constraints include right-of-way and easement issues: LeeTran said shelters must meet ADA landing and ramp requirements and that where right-of-way is insufficient the project will identify alternate nearby stops rather than encroach on private property. Costs cover purchase and installation; LeeTran said larger shelters will be considered for very busy stops when space and funds allow.
Board members asked about bird strikes, shelter materials, size and stormwater/runoff considerations; LeeTran said the shelters are aluminum with perforated panels and the ad box uses a protective enclosure. ADA-compliant ramps and landings are part of the installation standard, and shelters will be sited to avoid private-property encroachment where possible.
Next steps: CRA and LeeTran will continue design and site selection for the initial nine shelters and coordinate with board requests (color palette, site constraints, and potential oversized shelters at high-ridership stops). Funding for the initial set is included in the CRA plan; future years depend on program evaluation and available funds.
