Drivers in North Fort Myers are frustrated as a major construction project on Pondella Road causes long traffic lines and dangerous detours through residential neighborhoods.

Residents are concerned about the reckless driving they observe as motorists try to bypass the construction.

“I’ve seen people drive through here like they’re driving on I-75, not a care in the world for children that are sitting on that stop ready to go to school,” said Martin Amparo, a local resident. “I’ve seen people walk by here just to go to work and get hit just unintentionally, because people don’t have a care for pedestrians.”

The construction is taking place on Pondella Road, from the base of the Edison Bridge to the major four-way intersection connecting to North Tamiami Trail.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has closed the right turn onto North Tamiami Trail from Pondella Road, necessitating several detours to access the Edison Bridge.

Drivers now need to turn right onto River Road and then left onto Cabana Avenue to reconnect with North Tamiami Trail and the Edison Bridge. 

FDOT says the detours and closures are essential for reconstructing and widening parts of the intersection, installing new drainage structures, and adding pedestrian hybrid beacons for safer road crossings.

The pedestrian hybrid beacons are a different type of traffic signal at crosswalks, with two red lights on top and a yellow light underneath. 

John Gurdock, an employee at First Motors of North Fort Myers, shared his concerns.

“I’ve seen a lot of people having to slam the brakes. People are trying to come out of here with the lane shut down,” he said.

Amparo echoed similar sentiments, stating that “not all the time those lights or those intersections are supervised. People will just think, ‘Oh, there’s no cop. We’re gonna gun it.'”

FDOT says these beacons are effective for areas with three or more lanes of traffic and speeds above 35 miles per hour, which applies to this road section.

The detour is expected to last through December, with the entire project anticipated to be completed by early 2026.