>> FROM YOUR CAPE CORAL NEWS TEAM, THE CITY IS LOOKING TO SPEND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO ADD SIDEWALKS. GULF COAST NEWS REPORTER TALK US ALL SHOWS YOU WHERE IT COULD GET A LOT SAFER TO WALK. >> IN MANY CAPE CORAL NEIGHBORHOODS, YOU DON’T SEE ANY SIDEWALKS HERE ON SITE IS PARKWAY. YOU HAVE TO WALK ON THE STREET WHICH IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE YOU’RE SHARING THE ROAD WITH CARS. TODAY. THE CITY IS LOOKING AT SPENDING MORE THAN A MILLION DOLLARS TO ADD MORE SIDEWALKS. WHEN I MOVED INTO MY HOUSE, THE FIRST THING I NOTICED WAS I HAVE A REALLY CLOSE PARK NEARBY, BUT THERE’S NOT A SAFE WAY FOR ME TO COMMUTE BY FOOT TO AND FROM MY HOUSE TO THE PARK, LIKE MANY CAPE CORAL RESIDENTS. MAGGIE CARDENAS IS SHOCKED. THERE’S LITTLE TO NO SIDEWALKS THROUGHOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD. THE CITY IS NOW TARGETING SITE IS PARKWAY SOUTHWEST 22ND TERRACE AND OR GET BOULEVARD TO ADD NEW WALKWAYS. BUT FOR JENNIFER, WHY WHO’S LIVED IN CAPE CORAL? MORE THAN 20 YEARS? SHE TELLS ME SHE DOESN’T WANT HER PROPERTY LINE TO BE AFFECTED, ESPECIALLY AFTER REDOING HER YARD A COUPLE YEARS AGO. IT WOULD BE NICE BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE WALKING ON THE STREET, BUT MOST HIT PARK SO. >> AND ALSO IT’S PROBABLY GONNA MESS UP SOME OF OUR YARDS. >> HERE ON ORCHID BOULEVARD, YOU CAN SEE THAT THERE IS A SIDEWALK ENTERING INTO THE COMMUNITY. BUT AFTER WALKING A FEW FEET, YOU CAN SEE THAT THE SIDEWALK ABRUPTLY ENDS HERE AT THIS TREE. IT WILL COST MORE THAN 1.3 MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE CITY TO ADD THE SIDEWALKS. I THINK IT’S A GREAT IDEA, HONESTLY, >> IT’LL KEEP PEOPLE RIGHT NOW. PEOPLE ARE WALKING IN THE BIKE LANES AND >> YOU KNOW, I DON’T BLAME AT THE END OF THE DAY, ADDING THE SIDEWALKS IN THE CITY OF CAPE CORAL. WE’LL MAKE IT SAFER FOR DRIVERS WALKERS AND CYCLIS
Cape Coral plans $1.3 million sidewalk project to address pedestrian safety
Updated: 5:53 PM EDT May 6, 2026
Cape Coral is evaluating a $1.3 million plan to add sidewalks in neighborhoods like Ceitus Parkway, Southwest 22nd Terrace, and Orchid Boulevard, where pedestrians currently walk on streets shared with cars. “When I moved into my house, the first thing I noticed was that I have a really close park nearby, but there’s not a safe way for me to commute by foot to and from my house to the park,” said Maggie Cardenas, a Cape Coral resident. Many residents, like Cardenas, are surprised by the lack of sidewalks in the area. However, not everyone is fully supportive of the proposed project. Jennifer Weihe, who has lived in Cape Coral for over 20 years, expressed concerns about the impact on her property. “I mean, it would be nice because a lot of people are walking on the street, but most people head to the park. Also, it’s probably going to mess up some of our yards,” Weihe said. On Orchid Boulevard, a sidewalk begins at the entrance to the community but abruptly ends after a few feet at a tree, highlighting the incomplete infrastructure. Rick Ruscin, another Cape Coral resident, supports the initiative, emphasizing the need for safer pedestrian options. “I think it’s a great idea, honestly. Right now, people are walking in the bike lanes, and, you know, I don’t blame them. They don’t have any place else to walk,” Ruscin said. The city’s plan to address these concerns comes with a significant price tag, aiming to improve safety and accessibility for residents navigating their neighborhoods on foot.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment, and original programming on your TV.
CAPE CORAL, Fla. —
Cape Coral is evaluating a $1.3 million plan to add sidewalks in neighborhoods like Ceitus Parkway, Southwest 22nd Terrace, and Orchid Boulevard, where pedestrians currently walk on streets shared with cars.
“When I moved into my house, the first thing I noticed was that I have a really close park nearby, but there’s not a safe way for me to commute by foot to and from my house to the park,” said Maggie Cardenas, a Cape Coral resident.
Many residents, like Cardenas, are surprised by the lack of sidewalks in the area. However, not everyone is fully supportive of the proposed project. Jennifer Weihe, who has lived in Cape Coral for over 20 years, expressed concerns about the impact on her property.
“I mean, it would be nice because a lot of people are walking on the street, but most people head to the park. Also, it’s probably going to mess up some of our yards,” Weihe said.
On Orchid Boulevard, a sidewalk begins at the entrance to the community but abruptly ends after a few feet at a tree, highlighting the incomplete infrastructure.
Rick Ruscin, another Cape Coral resident, supports the initiative, emphasizing the need for safer pedestrian options.
“I think it’s a great idea, honestly. Right now, people are walking in the bike lanes, and, you know, I don’t blame them. They don’t have any place else to walk,” Ruscin said.
The city’s plan to address these concerns comes with a significant price tag, aiming to improve safety and accessibility for residents navigating their neighborhoods on foot.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment, and original programming on your TV.