Cape Coral residents push for safety changes amid speeding concerns on Burnt Store Road

CAPE CORAL, Fla. —

Cape Coral residents are raising concerns about speeding on Burnt Store Road, prompting city leaders and the Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization to propose temporary safety measures to improve road safety.

"And it's like, this isn't this isn't I-75 guys, you got to slow down a little bit," said Caswell Woosley, expressing his frustration with speeding near his neighborhood off the two-lane section of Burnt Store Road.

Bonnie Thorndyke emphasized the need for caution, saying, "Oh, definitely. You have to really watch because it's a very busy road. Going both ways." She and her husband, Charles Thorndyke, are eager for changes, especially when pulling onto Burnt Store from their neighborhood on Vincent Avenue.

"Well, obviously, we're getting a great deal of expansion from a housing perspective. And obviously, that's going to have a major impact on the road, and obviously, how busy it's going to be. So I would love to see it doubled, at very least. Certainly. I would love to see further safety precautions as we get more busy," Charles Thorndyke said.

Lee County aims to reduce crashes in areas without a median. The first phase of their plan includes installing rumble striping along edge lines and the center line for the entire two-lane stretch, with other options like paved shoulders also being considered.

"Yeah, it's with us coming into the season right now, I think now's the time to, to kind of crack down and put in something, implement something to, to hopefully save some lives, as is the goal," Woosley said.

The Citizen Advisory Committee has proposed to the Lee County MPO the incorporation of flashing speed signs in high-crash areas.

"You've got high-speed traffic coming from both ways. On burnt stores northbound. Southbound. So, you know, trying it is tricky even for me with, you know, young eyes," Woosley added.

Lee County commissioners are scheduled to meet next Tuesday to discuss the potential safety measures that could be implemented along the two-lane stretch of Burnt Store Road.

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