Train delays cause traffic chaos on Bayshore Road in North Fort Myers

NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla. —

Businesses along Bayshore Road typically receive deliveries from Seminole Gulf Railway about twice a week, but residents are now noticing an increase in traffic delays, including dead stop traffic this morning after a train halted in the middle of the tracks.

The Florida Highway Patrol reported that both eastbound and westbound lanes on Bayshore Road were closed due to the stopped train. Wendy Heckler, a resident of North Fort Myers, shared her experience.

"My first big issue was this morning when I was heading out, and the traffic was really backed up, and it's been backed up anyway from the 31 bridge being rerouted with the dump trucks. But it was bad. And then I looked down. I saw that it was the train. So that's been my first really bad experience with it," Heckler said.

People working in the area have reported accidents due to the train stopping, and with rail cars blocking the roads, it also means blocking first responders.

"Well, yeah, there was a fire truck. He wasn't in route or anything, but there was a fire truck coming in. And as I turned to go on the interstate, I heard kind of their horn going. And so I don't think anything happened, but it obviously was about to," Heckler said.

Residents in neighborhoods right off Bayshore describe the train as a "nuisance," and one commuter took a video of the situation last Thursday. Heckler mentioned that she was further back from the tracks to hop on the interstate, but noted that some were not so lucky.

"But the people trying to go down there, they were. They were definitely stuck and stopped," Heckler said.

One business reported that only two rail cars are supposed to deliver each week, but the train is pulling more rail cars, causing the obvious delays. Seminole Gulf Railway has been contacted for answers, but at this time, we have not received a response.

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