Lee County plans safety upgrades for Burnt Store Road in Cape Coral

Lee County commissioners have decided to move forward with safety upgrades for the last two-lane stretch of Burnt Store Road. The county's Department of Transportation presented four short-term safety solutions while awaiting funding to fully widen the road.

The commissioners chose to implement rumble stripes, passing lanes, and paved shoulders along the stretch from Van Buren Parkway to Vincent Avenue at the county line.

Safety has been a growing concern for drivers who travel Burnt Store Road daily. Traffic projections from the Florida Department of Transportation indicate the number of vehicles could more than double by 2045, increasing from 14,000 to over 32,000 vehicles per day.

"The increase in passenger car traffic on an extremely narrow road with no shoulders, and it's very easy to lose control, and there have been situations where cars have been forced off the road," said Jeff Mahl, who lives in Saint James City.

"We've only been here for a couple of years, but since we've been here, I've noticed within the last year, how crazy and all the accidents that have been happening," said Krista Lucky, a Cape Coral resident.

Data obtained by WINK Investigates reveals a troubling pattern of incidents on Burnt Store Road.

Between January and late October of last year, Cape Coral Police responded to 51 crashes on this road. Of those incidents, 15 resulted in injuries, five involved rollovers, and four were hit-and-runs.

These figures represent only the data from Cape Coral Police and do not include additional crashes managed by the Florida Highway Patrol.

In December, commissioners directed the Department of Transportation to plan for safety improvements until the road is widened to four lanes.

"Anybody who drives that road knows that sooner or later, it's going to happen, we really need to pay full attention to the facts and get that road widened," said Mahl.

The board ultimately decided to go with the option that includes all of the proposed safety improvements.

"I am thrilled. I hope that they can move forward quicker than expected," said Lucky.

"Delighted the discussion should have happened years ago," said Mahl.

The next step involves obtaining environmental permits for the additional pavement while the project goes out to bid for construction. The improvements are estimated to cost $5.7 million.

"I think it's, you know, it's good, you know, as one of the reasons, you know, we're gonna prevent, you know, some of those accidents that I'm having on this road," said Richel Rodriguez, who lives in Cape Coral.

County officials estimate the project will take six to nine months to permit. Once construction starts, it is expected to take about nine months to complete.

WINK Investigates has requested updated data from the Cape Coral Police Department.