Bonita to allocate $300,000 for more sidewalks

Tarpon Avenue and Imperial River Road will get new sidewalks.

City council officials are sticking to their plans to add more sidewalks to the city of Bonita Springs and make streets safer for pedestrians.

Officials voted to add sidewalks to Imperial River Road and Tarpon Avenue and from Southern Pines from East Terry, north to the entrance of Southern Pines community entrance.

Donald Dankert passes by Tarpon Avenue on the way to his home on Imperial River Road.

“I know it’s not necessary where I live but there is a lot of apartments on that road and they need them,” said Dankert, 80, of Bonita Springs. “There is a lot of kids riding bikes on Tarpon so this is good.”

The city will allocate its annual $300,000 sidewalk and bikeway construction budget to add the sidewalks.

Public Works Manager Daryl Walk says safety is a priority for the city and that’s why the investment is being made now.

“We see kids riding bikes on streets and people walking and it’s dangerous so we are working to fix that,” he said. “I’ve personally seen a lot of pedestrians on Imperial River and we have received a lot of requests from neighbors at Southern Pines,” said Walk, who is helping coordinate the project.

These projects will use up the budget, but next year Walk says new funds will be allocated for future projects.

But this year, Walk says, the project is costing less because Lee County has allowed the city to hire contractors based on their unit list price.

“Contractors give Lee County a list of how much they estimate jobs will cost. The city was allowed by the county to purchase things at their price,” Walk said.

The city also has hired consultants who are studying other areas that are in need of sidewalks and bike paths.

“This has been an ongoing process for the city since incorporation.,” Walk said. “The unique thing about Bonita Springs is that unlike other cities we don’t have sidewalks everywhere so we have to put them in.”

Work crews will begin construction in a few weeks that should be completed in two to three months.

“Right now, there is only one potential hang up with Imperial River because of a technically expired county price,” Walk said. “But we can come to an agreement soon.”