City, county officials meet on Burnt Store Road
Cape Coral can expect monthly updates on the county’s efforts for widening of the final segment
Conversations continue between the Cape Coral City Council and the Lee County Commission regarding the continued widening of Burnt Store Road.
Mayor John Gunter told Council Wednesday that he spoke with Lee County Commissioner Kevin Ruane, the city’s representative on the county board.
“He assured me that the Burnt Store widening and completion of the last segment is a top priority of his. He reached out to state representatives with FDOT, and he has a variety of options that he explained to me today,” Gunter said.
City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn and Gunter were to meet with Ruane and the county manager on a variety of topics Thursday, including Burnt Store Road.
“Commissioner Ruane stated that he needed to work with us, and work with me, and our city manager with the county manager, to try to find a resolution for the Burnt Store widening,” Gunter said.
He said Ruane agreed to having monthly updates with Gunter to receive those updates.
According to the Burnt Store Road PD&E Study, the preliminary cost estimate from Van Buren Parkway to the Charlotte County Line is $189,855,000. That cost includes a final design, rights-of-way for roadway to be purchased, rights-of-way for stormwater management to be purchased, wetland mitigation, roadway construction and construction engineering and inspection.
On Wednesday, Lee County Board of County Commissioners Vice Chairman Cecil Pendergrass wrote an email to Sheriff Carmine Marceno and Cape Coral Police Department Chief Anthony Sizemore concerning Burnt Store Road enforcement and safety.
“I am reaching out regarding the growing concerns along Burnt Store Road. As you are aware, we have seen an increase in crashes throughout the county, particularly along this corridor, including the recent tragic loss of three civilians just two weeks ago. Unfortunately, many of these crashes can be attributed to reckless behavior and driver error, further highlighting the need for continued enforcement and education efforts,” Pendergrass wrote in the email.
He further stated that “The Lee Board of County Commissioners has directed the county manager to coordinate with County DOT staff to identify and implement immediate safety measures, while also engaging with the City of Cape Coral and state on potential funding for long-term improvements. Burnt Store Road is a major north-south roadway supporting both residential and commercial traffic and is also a critical evacuation route for both Lee and Charlotte County. We will continue working toward long-term solutions and commend your agencies’ commitment to the welfare and safety of all who use this roadway and others across the county.”
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