More safety concerns at a dangerously busy intersection in Cape Coral

CAPE CORAL, Florida. Lee County residents are increasingly concerned about the intersection of Burnt Store Road and the Tropicana, saying they have seen too many accidents in the area and want leaders to take action.

But Burnt Store Road is served by Lee County and Tropicana Pkwy is served by the City of Cape Coral.

“Shortly after they finished dividing the median right there, things got pretty bad,” father of three, Dustin Guthrie, who lives in the area, realizes just how bad the intersection has become, saying every time he hears the sirens, while his wife picks up the kids. to school: “I call her to make sure everything is all right.”

Guthrie and Jamie Stone are two concerned residents who participate in a group chat with more than 15 people who have reached out to the city of Cape Coral and Lee County: “I’m really just disappointed that this didn’t get attention. city ​​leaders, county leaders,” Stone said, emphasizing that she just wants her voice to be heard.

I contacted Lee County, which serves Burnt Store Road, and they said, “The Burnt Store Road corridor is very new for drivers, and motorists need to get used to driving in the new traffic pattern. The county is monitoring all new intersections in the project to determine if any adjustments need to be made.”

Since 2020, the number of accidents has increased, in fact even doubling, with 14 accidents in 2020, 16 in 2021 and 30 in 2022, according to Cape Coral Police. Already 10 accidents in 25 days until 2023.

The City of Cape Coral responded that based on data collected for 2020, “accidents appear to have occurred in connection with the expansion of Burnt Store Road, which is a county road. Any traffic studies or changes at this intersection will be contingent on the county.”