Massive Hudson Creek development in Cape Coral sparks traffic fears along dangerous Burnt Store Road

CAPE CORAL, Fla. —

Cape Coral's Hudson Creek development is set to transform nearly 2,000 acres of land into an urban hub off Burnt Store Road, raising concerns about increased traffic in an area already experiencing numerous crashes.

The main concern for residents in the northwest part of Cape Coral is how busy Burnt Store Rd. already is, with more than 60 crashes, several of them deadly, since November 2024.

The city plans to develop the area into an urban hub, with utilities like water and irrigation expected to be completed by 2027.

"It's just too overcrowded here," said Sam Brown, who has lived in Northwest Cape Coral for 20 years. "We don't need anybody else down here."

The Hudson Creek development, located on Burnt Store Rd. and Wilmington Parkway, is expected to include 425,000 square feet of retail and restaurants, 3,500 homes, 500 hotel rooms and shops. The land was purchased last December for $100 million.

The county recently approved new construction on Burnt Store Rd., including rumble stripes, passing lanes, and paved shoulders, and is working on obtaining the necessary permits. Brown, who drives on the busy road every day, thinks this development is going to add more chaos.

"I don't think anybody knows what the speed limit is," Brown said. "I'm surprised not more people get hurt and killed."

However, Cape Coral realtor Sam Yaffey believes the project will make the area more desirable.

"They have a lot of green space," she said. "It looks like it's going to be great for people who live in the northern part of our city. It will raise their property values."

LSI Companies, which brokered the land, said the project should fast-track the city's utility extension project to connect people from well water to city water.

"We just have so many areas that really could use people on city water to help with our environment," Yaffey said. "Anything we can do to increase the number of homes that are on city utilities is a great thing."

The city also owns about 300 acres nearby and is working to attract employers in industries like the medical field to bring high-quality jobs closer to the city.

Utilities for the project, including water and irrigation, are expected to be completed by 2027.

Developers who bought the land, Forestar Real Estate Group, have been contacted for further details on the project's completion timeline, but a response is still pending.

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