Hendry County secures $1 million for County Road 78 design work; construction estimated at about $7.5 million

Hendry County staff told commissioners May 12 that the county has secured a $1,000,000 grant to fund design and a benefit‑cost analysis for two segments of County Road 78, work that staff said will strengthen future grant applications for construction funding.

"We got $1,000,000 dollars that we wanted to let everyone know about," said Shane Parker, who identified himself at the meeting as public works director. Parker said the grant will pay for design of the two road segments (about 2.2 miles) from just east of North River Road to Fort Denaud Bridgeway and a benefit‑cost analysis staff have not previously performed for the project. "This million dollars will not do construction. This will go to the design of the 2 road segments and the benefit cost analysis," Parker said.

Parker provided a rough construction cost estimate in the meeting: with added 5‑foot shoulders and drainage improvements, the two segments could cost about $7.5 million. He said the design work will make the county more competitive for state or federal construction grants: completing design and a benefit‑cost analysis positions the county ahead of others when funding cycles are reviewed.

Commissioners thanked staff and noted that while the grant will not cover construction, it is expected to improve the county’s chances in competitive grant cycles and move the project closer to shovel‑ready status. Staff said prior county applications date back to about 2011 and competition for district funding has been strong in recent cycles.

The board did not approve any construction funding at the May 12 meeting; staff will return with design procurement and grant‑application updates as planning continues.