Cape leaders planning next phase of utilities expansion

CAPE CORAL, FL -

City leaders in Cape Coral are planning the next phase of a controversial utilities expansion project.

Water and sewer line work is well underway in areas referred to as "southwest six and seven" located in southwest Cape Coral.

The next phase of this massive project is now being discussed by city leaders, who on Wednesday held a special meeting on the topic.

Construction began in December on the $100 million project that residents in Cape Coral have been hearing about for years.

Workers have dug up a section of southwest Cape Coral to install new water and sewer lines and replace septic tanks and wells.

The utilities expansion project came after countless hours of discussions at heated council meetings.

Residents argued they were being forced to pay for something they didn't want - up to $20,000 each.

City council heard those citizen complaints, but still felt the expansion was the right move for Cape Coral as a whole.

"Our job as council members are to look at not only what's going on with them and obviously it's in all of our hearts, but our bigger job is the city," said Rana Erbrick, Cape Coral City Council member.

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Cape leaders planning next phase of utilities expansion