Construction is underway at one of Lee County’s busiest intersections, Colonial Boulevard at Summerlin Road, as part of the county’s “Colonial Safety Improvements” project. The effort, which began in May, includes sidewalk replacements, pedestrian access upgrades, and traffic signal work, and is expected to continue through the winter.
The project also plans to add a third northbound turning lane from the intersection, though that portion is not yet complete. Drivers are already expressing safety concerns, particularly how merging from three lanes down to two will affect traffic during rush hour.
“Scary, Haley girl, scary,” said Dashley Saintfleur, a resident who has lived off Colonial Boulevard for 13 years. “There are always two lanes that get stuck and congested, like people can’t get out or can’t get in.”
Saintfleur adds that she avoids the Summerlin route toward the bridge whenever possible:
“I rarely try and go the Summerlin route that's towards the bridge.”
Lee County commissioners approved the project back in March in response to public concerns about congestion at the intersection. According to Rob Price, Director of Lee Department of Transportation, the goal of the interim improvements is to make traffic flow more efficiently. At the same time, engineers study long-term options to widen the Midpoint Bridge.
“We can carry three lanes of traffic northbound, making that left lane, which will introduce a little bit more merging traffic for people that might get in the outside left turn lane, that will then have to merge over into the left two lanes so they can then carry over the bridge,” Price explained.
“We don’t expect that to be a major safety issue, and we think the benefits of the capacity improvements far outweigh those potential merging issues that might come up.”
Despite DOT’s assurances, residents remain cautious.
“Merging onto the two lanes at the very end is hectic. Like, that's scary, especially if people don't want to let you on,” Saintfleur said. “If you’re going to make an additional lane, and you’re not going to make the additional lane for the whole route, just for a part of the route, that’s not really adding a solution, just another roadblock.”
Construction crews have started work on grating and signage, with detours in place. Nighttime lane closures are scheduled through Oct. 11, with lighted work zones operating from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Drivers are advised to use caution and follow posted warning signs.
Lee DOT says they will continue to monitor the intersection once the project is completed and make adjustments as needed, including adding signage to improve safety.