Cape Coral Proposes 27 New Roundabouts
CAPE CORAL, Fla. — Cape Coral is experiencing rapid growth, particularly in the northwest, and the city is exploring ways to keep pace with the increasing traffic demands. One proposal on the table is the installation of 27 new roundabouts to help improve traffic flow and safety.
Among the proposed locations, seven Cape Coral roundabouts could be installed along Old Burnt Store Road. Although the City of Cape Coral has not yet conducted a formal study, the primary goal of these roundabouts would be to ease traffic congestion and enhance safety on roads like Old Burnt Store Road.
Key Locations Being Considered:
- Old Burnt Store Road is a major focus due to frequent speeding and heavy use by construction vehicles traveling to Punta Gorda. Local resident Mark Fry commented, "People are speeding up here all the time because it's an alternative route to Punta Gorda, and there's a lot of construction dump trucks and other traffic."
Some residents see the roundabouts as a forward-thinking solution, especially with future developments like the Seven Islands Project, which will add new housing, a marina, and a fish house to the northwest Cape.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has highlighted the benefits of roundabouts in other parts of Southwest Florida. David Scarpelli, a Communications Specialist for FDOT, explained, "They allow for continuous movement, which helps reduce congestion, especially during peak traffic hours. From a safety perspective, roundabouts reduce the likelihood of severe collisions."
However, not everyone is convinced. Local cyclist Ethan Balogh, who frequently rides along Old Burnt Store Road, expressed doubt, saying, "I don't really know if roundabouts are really going to do much for this specific road."
Others believe that Cape Coral may not be ready for such a change, pointing out that roundabouts require a level of mutual respect and familiarity that might be challenging for a diverse population of drivers. Mark Fry added, "Roundabouts are based on mutual respect, which I'm not so sure people from out of the Florida area, or those from regions less familiar with roundabouts, know exactly how to use."
While there may be some initial adjustment periods, Scarpelli believes that drivers will eventually adapt to using roundabouts.
The City of Cape Coral plans to begin a study in the spring of 2025 to evaluate the effectiveness of roundabouts in addressing traffic and safety issues, with results expected by the fall of that year.
HomeQwest Real Estate, Building & Development Companies
4020 Del Prado Blvd S. Unit B2, Cape Coral, FL 33904
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