**Wildlife Gets a Green Light: Alico, Inc. and FDOT Unite for Collier County Underpass** 🦌🚗🌿  

*Collier County, FL — November 7, 2025*  

In a rare show of harmony between corporate progress and conservation, Alico, Inc. and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) have announced a joint venture that’s giving Collier County’s wildlife something to celebrate: a safe, dedicated underpass beneath one of the region’s busiest corridors.  

This ambitious project—set to begin construction in early 2026—aims to reduce the number of tragic road-wildlife collisions that have long plagued rural Southwest Florida. Think of it as a **suburban crosswalk for panthers, deer, and alligators**, minus the flashing lights and honking drivers.  

### 🌎 A Safer Path Forward

For decades, the highways slicing through Collier County have been both a lifeline and a hazard. Florida panthers, an endangered species native to the region, have frequently been struck by vehicles while attempting to cross major roadways. Last year alone, *more than two dozen panther deaths* were attributed to vehicle collisions statewide.  

Enter Alico, Inc., the agricultural powerhouse managing thousands of acres across South Florida. Partnering with FDOT, the company will not only provide land access but also assist with environmental monitoring during construction.  

“This partnership is about building bridges—or in this case, *underpasses*—between Florida’s future and its natural heritage,” said Alico spokesperson **Lauren Whitaker**, beaming at the groundbreaking ceremony. “We can’t call it progress if we’re paving over the very life that makes this state unique.”  

### 🛠️ Engineering Meets Ecology

The underpass, modeled after successful wildlife crossings in Central and South Florida, will feature native landscaping, motion-activated cameras, and fencing that subtly guides animals toward the safe passage. Environmental engineers and biologists will collaborate to ensure the structure accommodates both large and small species—from black bears to bobcats, raccoons to river otters.  

FDOT District 1 Director **Carlos Méndez** noted that projects like this have measurable results. “We’ve seen up to an 80% reduction in wildlife collisions in areas with similar crossings,” he said. “This is about protecting motorists and protecting ecosystems—there’s no reason we can’t do both.”  

### 🐾 The Bigger Picture

Collier County has become a focal point for conservation innovation, balancing explosive growth with the delicate ecosystems of the Everglades and Big Cypress regions. The Alico–FDOT partnership marks another step toward integrating sustainable infrastructure into Florida’s expanding development.  

Local residents have voiced enthusiastic support, with many seeing the effort as a symbol of responsible progress. “It’s about time,” said Naples resident and wildlife advocate **Janet O’Brien**. “Our highways should coexist with our habitats.”  

### 🌅 Looking Ahead

Once completed, the underpass will not only reduce fatalities among wildlife but could also serve as a research hub for environmental scientists studying animal behavior and migration patterns in human-altered landscapes.  

Construction is expected to begin in **spring 2026**, with completion targeted for **late 2027**—just in time for the next generation of panther cubs to make their first safe crossing.  

In a state known for its unpredictable headlines, this story stands out as refreshingly hopeful: Florida, for once, isn’t just *building more roads*—it’s building them *better*.