Alico Inc. partners with Florida Department of Transportation to construct wildlife underpass along State Road 82 | Taiwan News | Nov. 3, 2025 21:30
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Nov. 3, 2025: Alico Inc. (Nasdaq: ALCO), a Southwest Florida agribusiness and land management company, has entered a strategic partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and its construction contractor to design and build a wildlife underpass as part of the expansion of State Road 82 to four lanes in Collier County.
New crossing to strengthen regional wildlife connectivity
The planned underpass will align with a proposed wildlife corridor connected to the Corkscrew Grove Villages project in eastern Collier County, creating an important ecological link across Collier, Lee, and Hendry counties. Alico has committed approximately $5 million toward the design and construction of the crossing.
“This partnership underscores our commitment to environmental stewardship and conservation by creating an important regional link to support wildlife movement between Collier, Lee, and Hendry counties,” said John Kiernan, President and CEO of Alico Inc. “We are confident the underpass will advance the panther recovery plan by providing a permanent connection to the Caloosahatchee dispersal zone with no expected additional cost to taxpayers.”
Design and safety features
The Corkscrew Grove underpass is planned to measure approximately 16 feet wide by 7 feet tall. It will incorporate fencing to help guide animals toward the structure and reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions along State Road 82. The crossing will complement two FDOT bridge underpasses under construction at Under Canal and Panther Creek, both of which bisect the Corkscrew Grove property.
Timeline and project integration
Construction is expected to begin before year-end, pending final approvals, and will be coordinated with the State Road 82 widening project. Completion is currently anticipated in 2027. FDOT worked with Alico to integrate the underpass with minimal disruption to the overall roadway expansion.
“By aligning this wildlife crossing with the broader corridor planned along the eastern boundary of the Corkscrew Groves development, we’re taking an important step toward preserving natural habitats and supporting panther recovery,” said Brent Setchell, District Drainage Design Engineer for FDOT. “This collaboration shows how public and private partners can balance growth, environmental stewardship, and infrastructure improvements. FDOT’s mission is about safety—and that includes wildlife.”
Role of the Corkscrew Grove Stewardship District
Alico will support construction through the Corkscrew Grove Stewardship District, a special district responsible for infrastructure within the proposed master-planned community. The district, overseen by a five-member Board of Supervisors, will assist with financing infrastructure, restoring and managing natural areas, and administering lands within its boundaries.
Kiernan expressed appreciation for state leaders and legislators who supported the establishment of the stewardship district, noting it was pivotal in advancing the underpass partnership with FDOT.
Corkscrew Grove Villages: development and conservation
Announced in March 2025, Corkscrew Grove Villages spans approximately 4,600 acres at the northwest corner of Collier County on the border of Lee and Hendry counties. The plan includes two 1,500-acre villages and more than 7,000 acres of permanent conservation lands, with aims to enhance public infrastructure, protect sensitive habitats, and improve wetlands and water resources.
Alico is currently seeking approval for the first of the two planned communities, East Village. The review process is expected to take about a year, with a final decision by the Collier Board of County Commissioners anticipated in 2026. Permits for both villages have been submitted to relevant water management and federal agencies. Construction on the first village could begin as early as 2028.
Long-term conservation track record
Since 2003, Alico has sold or placed easements on more than 46,800 acres for conservation. Combined with the 7,000 acres included in the Corkscrew Grove Villages plan, the company’s efforts aim to enhance connectivity among existing conservation lands and support the broader Florida Wildlife Corridor.
About Alico Inc.
Alico Inc. is a Florida-based agribusiness and land management company with more than 125 years of history. Following a strategic transformation in 2025, Alico operates as a diversified land company with approximately 51,300 acres across eight Florida counties. The company focuses on strategic land development and diversified agricultural operations while maintaining a commitment to responsible land stewardship and conservation.
Forward-looking statements
This article includes forward-looking statements, including expectations about the partnership with FDOT, the design, funding, and construction of the wildlife underpass, anticipated timelines, environmental benefits, activities of the Corkscrew Grove Stewardship District, regulatory approvals, conservation plans, and development schedules for Corkscrew Grove Villages. These statements are based on current assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, including regulatory outcomes, permitting timelines, construction schedules, market and economic conditions, weather and environmental factors, financing, operational changes, and other factors affecting land development and infrastructure projects. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, and no obligation is undertaken to update them except as required by law.
