Estero drivers frustrated by 14-second green light at Corkscrew Road intersection

ESTERO, Fla. (WINK)— A traffic light installed four years ago at Corkscrew Road and Estero Town Commons Place has created a frustrating bottleneck for drivers trying to turn left, according to residents who brought their concerns to a WINK Listens event.

The intersection, located near the Wawa and Estero Crossing Shopping Center, sees heavy traffic during rush hour. Peter Thompson, who lives nearby, said the congestion has made short trips take significantly longer.

"It takes 20 minutes to get from my house to the Lowe's, which I could walk in five minutes," Thompson said.

Thompson brought his frustration to WINK's community event at the Estero Recreation Center. While he acknowledged the light has improved safety since its installation, he said it created a new problem for drivers.

"I haven't heard of any accidents or deaths since that light's been put in," Thompson said.

However, the traffic backup has become a daily challenge for residents.

"The traffic's always backed up there," Thompson said.

For drivers attempting to turn left, the wait can be particularly long.

"You have to sometimes wait for the light to turn three different times before you get past it," Thompson explained.

WINK News reporter Taylor Petras visited the intersection and timed the left turn signal. The green arrow lasted approximately 14 seconds, allowing six cars to pass through. One driver ran the red light during the observation.

Petras contacted Lee County to ask whether 14 seconds was typical for the signal. A county spokesperson confirmed it was and explained the timing decision in a statement:

 “It is important to remember there are thousands of cars on Corkscrew Road every day. The side street left-turn volume is a very small percentage of the overall traffic volume at this intersection. To give more time for that left turn would mean reducing the time for the through traffic on Corkscrew Road, which already tends to back up in the peak afternoon and evening hours. The traffic on Corkscrew determines the timing of that intersection.”

The county said since the signal was installed in 2022, Lee DOT staff have devoted significant time to monitoring and adjusting the signal timings to balance traffic.

Despite the inconvenience, Thompson said he recognizes the light's safety benefits outweigh the frustration.

"The annoyance that we have is relatively insignificant when you compare it to the fact that it's saving lives and saving accidents," Thompson said.

Lee County suggested drivers use alternative routes, such as Three Oaks Parkway, to access Corkscrew Road and avoid the congested intersection.

WINK News requested the number of crashes the Lee County Sheriff’s Office has responded to at the intersection before and after the traffic signal was installed. 

LCSO provided the following numbers for each year.

2018: 2

2019: 1

2020: 2

2021:4

2022: 2  

2023: 0 

2024: 0

2025: 2

2026: 2