Guest Commentary | Burnt Store Road: Urgent action needed to prevent more tragedies
The heartbreaking loss of three lives on Burnt Store Road Monday night has once again thrust this perilous stretch of roadway into the public eye, demanding immediate attention from our local leaders. As a Cape Coral resident deeply invested in the safety and well-being of our community, I am compelled to call for swift collaboration between Lee County and Cape Coral to finally widen the remaining 5.7 miles of this deadly corridor.
Burnt Store Road, under the ownership and jurisdiction of Lee County, has become a symbol of neglected infrastructure amid Southwest Florida’s rapid growth. The fatal crash occurred in the unwidened section, where narrow lanes and heavy traffic create hazardous conditions for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike. This isn’t an isolated incident; the road’s history of accidents highlights a systemic failure to keep pace with development in North Cape Coral and surrounding areas.
At Tuesday’s Lee County Board of Commissioners meeting, Commissioner Brian Hamman articulated the urgency many of us feel: “Burnt Store Road is a road that is critically needed to be widened. I know we want to get this last 5.7 miles of Burnt Store Road widened. This is a road I’d like us see us widen as soon as possible.” His words resonate, but words alone won’t save lives. The estimated cost to expand this final segment to a safer four-lane divided highway ranges from $150 to $190 million-a daunting figure that Lee County cannot shoulder alone.
The core issue is funding. With budgets already strained by other pressing needs, commissioners are wisely looking to Cape Coral for partnership, specifically through mobility fees generated by the explosive growth in the area. These fees, collected from new developments, are intended to offset the transportation impacts of expansion. Redirecting a portion of them to this project would be a responsible investment in public safety, directly benefiting the residents who rely on Burnt Store Road daily.
Encouragingly, the commissioners have directed the county manager to schedule a meeting with the Cape Coral City Council to explore this collaboration. This is a critical step forward, but it must happen without delay. Cape Coral’s northward expansion has significantly increased traffic on this route, making it not just a county problem, but a shared regional challenge. By contributing to the widening, our city can demonstrate proactive leadership, ensuring that growth enhances rather than endangers our quality of life.
We cannot afford to wait for another tragedy to spur action. The human cost is too high, and the economic repercussions — from lost productivity to strained emergency services — are mounting. As someone who may soon announce a candidacy for Florida’s 19th Congressional District, I am committed to advocating for federal resources to support such vital infrastructure projects. But real change starts locally. I urge the Cape Coral City Council to engage promptly in these discussions, prioritize funding from mobility fees, and work hand-in-hand with Lee County to get shovels in the ground.
Our community deserves safe roads that match our ambitions for the future. Let’s honor the lives lost by turning grief into decisive action. Widen Burnt Store Road now — before it’s too late.
Jack Lombardi is a Cape Coral resident considering a run for U.S. Congress in Florida’s 19th District.