Winkler Avenue traffic improvement project inches closer to completion

Crews are working to complete a new intersection at Aldermans Walk Boulevard and Winkler Avenue in Fort Myers, part of a traffic improvement project designed to reduce congestion, improve access, and prepare the corridor for future growth.

Jillian Filipski, a resident of the Lindsford community who walks along Winkler Avenue nearly every day, has seen the area’s growth firsthand.

“There’s a lot of buildup on Winkler. Just a lot of more apartments, a lot more people. It’s very busy down here,” Filipski said.

Filipski also noted an increase in accidents over the past three years.

“It’s in my third year now being in Lindsford. I have noticed a big increase in accidents on Winkler,” she said.

The project includes traffic lights and crosswalks at three intersections along Winkler Avenue. One has already been completed at Province Park Boulevard, while two others are nearing completion at Aldermans Walk Boulevard and Schoolhouse Road.

“I think it will help with people needing to turn left or turning into the community because it does get very busy,” Filipski said.

Another local resident described the difficulty of crossing Winkler Avenue before the improvements.

“It’s been very difficult to get people across the street. We have to go all the way to the next signalized intersection to cross,” the resident said.

Shawn Thompson, a Fort Myers resident, shared his thoughts on the new traffic lights.

“The new lights that they’re putting up, it’s a big improvement for this road. It’s very busy. So when trying to just get across Winkler without those lights right now, it takes a very long time to get across,” Thompson said.

Developers are hoping to complete the intersection ahead of the anticipated October deadline.