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The Florida Department of Transportation has announced that the first emergency stopping sites have been built and opened at both Pine Ridge Road exit ramps. The iROX project will construct eight more emergency stopping sites adjacent to the exit ramps of four other Lee and Collier county interchanges.

Drivers experiencing mechanical problems or involved in minor traffic accidents can move to these sites. When the Interstate 75 six-lane widening is completed, emergency stopping sites will be located at the following interchanges: Pine Ridge Road, Immokalee Road, Bonita Beach Road, Corkscrew Road and Daniels Parkway.

“It’s a good spot to make immediate repairs or exchange insurance information if you’ve been in an accident,” said iROX safety manager Mandy Kustra.

Just as important, Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Billy Rippy points out accident investigation sites make it easier for motorists to comply with the state’s “Move It” law.

“Getting off the roadway and onto these sites will help reduce rubbernecking that slows traffic and can cause secondary crashes,” Rippy said.

The first sites in Florida were added to Interstate 95 in the Miami area more than a decade ago. I-75 becomes only the second Florida interstate to include these sites.

These emergency stopping sites will remain a permanent part of I-75 even after work on iROX finishes. For more information about using emergency stopping sites, visit: www.irox75.com.

The 30-mile iROX project adds one new northbound lane and one new southbound lane from the Golden Gate Parkway interchange to the Colonial Boulevard interchange. The $430.5 million job also makes improvements to the I-75/Immokalee Road interchange.