Cape Coral city leaders are pushing for immediate action to address safety concerns on Burnt Store Road. Just last week, a deadly crash claimed the lives of three people on a two-lane section of this road.
“It’s a county road the county should be paying for it,” said the Cape Coral mayor.
City officials argue that the final five miles of Burnt Store Road, still only two lanes, pose a significant safety risk.
“It should have been done years and years ago. It’s, it’s a safety issue, more than anything else, and an evacuation issue,” said David Hulsey, a longtime Cape Coral resident.
Hulsey, who knew one of the victims from last week’s crash, highlighted the personal impact of these accidents. He mentioned the victim was known for organizing a local car show.
“The gentleman that was that was killed in the in the car wreck. He is, if you’ve ever been to Merchants Crossing on a Monday. He’s the person that put on that car show,” said Hulsey.
Hulsey has witnessed Cape Coral’s growth and believes Burnt Store Road is not equipped to handle it.
“No. That whole part of Cape Coral is growing. It hasn’t been built out yet. It’s just going to get worse,” Hulsey said.
Despite the road’s location in Cape Coral, city leaders insist it’s a county responsibility.
“It’s a county road, it’s a county project. It should be paid for through county funds,” said another city official.
Hulsey contends that widening the road to four lanes would improve safety significantly.
“They need to fix it. And they needed to fix it five years ago, not 10 years from now,” said Hulsey.
Burnt Store Road represents more than just a traffic issue for Cape Coral; it is a test of patience for residents awaiting safer roads. Both county and city managers plan to meet to discuss potential solutions.