Charlotte County Public Works Division:
Carmalita Street & Education Avenue Corridor Improvements

Charlotte County, Florida

This project had three major goals:

• Improve traffic flow in the vicinity of a middle school, high school, school district distribution center, and school bus transportation facility
• Relieve flooding along two-miles of county roads
• Relieve flooding within a flood portion of the City of Punta Gorda

In order to achieve these goals, American coordinated closely with Charlotte County, City of Punta Gorda, the Charlotte County School District and Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD). Carmalita Street and Education Avenue were reconstructed and widened from two lanes to three lanes. American evaluated and designed improvements for roadway widening, intersection improvements, pedestrian facilities, lighting, signalization, and creation of a regional drainage pond to relieve local flooding.

This project also included delineating wetlands, conducting wildlife surveys, and preparation of right-of-way maps and legal descriptions. A two part drainage study was conducted to identify appropriate drainage improvements to alleviate flooding within the City of Punta Gorda and to accommodate flows from school district properties. The improvements were