Matlacha resident wants a roundabout on Pine Island Road; Lee County says no

MATLACHA, Fla. (WINK) — A Matlacha resident suggested a traffic circle at the intersection of Shoreview Drive and Pine Island Road to improve traffic flow, but Lee County says it's very unlikely to happen.

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Jim Lukitsch brought the idea to WINK Listens, noting that traffic circles are already used throughout Lee County to keep intersections moving smoothly. He said a roundabout near the entrance to Matlacha from Cape Coral would help ease congestion there and nearby.

"Big problem again, is at the big intersection of Veterans and Pine Island Road, because when Matlacha gets backed up, that goes all the way to that traffic light, many times I couldn't even cross that intersection because it's so backed up," Lukitsch said.

WINK News asked Lee County if a traffic circle was a possibility at the location. A county spokesperson said with only two minor crashes near, but not in, the intersection, there is no safety concern that would indicate the need for improvements.

"The only way you can improve traffic is to improve the continuity of traffic," Lukitsch said.

Lukitsch said the issue is less about safety and more about traffic flow. However, Lee County pointed to a recent intersection study at Pine Island and Stringfellow roads nearby, where 86% of people who use the road said "no" to the idea of a traffic signal or roundabout.

There's another challenge to installing a roundabout at the location. Since Pine Island Road is the only road on and off Matlacha and Pine Island, any roundabout would need to be large enough to accommodate the biggest trucks and trailers the road and bridge can handle.