Citizens’ Letter to the Lee County Board of County Commissioners
Subject: Request to Expedite and Prioritize the Widening of Burnt Store Road Corridor
To: The Honorable Members of the Lee County Board of County Commissioners,
Chairman Cecil L. Pendergrass
Vice Chair Kevin Ruane
Commissioner Ray Sandelli
Commissioner Brian Hamman
Commissioner Mike Greenwell
Dear Commissioners,
As concerned residents and taxpayers of Lee County and neighboring communities, we respectfully write to urge the Board to expedite the widening of the Burnt Store Road corridor between Cape Coral and the Charlotte County line and to elevate this project’s priority above other discretionary development projects.
The Case for Urgency
1. Population Growth and Congestion The Burnt Store Road corridor has become one of the fastest-growing areas in Southwest Florida. Residential and commercial development has surged across both Lee and Charlotte Counties, resulting in severe congestion and traffic delays on what remains primarily a two-lane roadway. With continued growth expected, the need for widening has become immediate and unavoidable.
2. Safety and Emergency Access. Current conditions present significant safety hazards for motorists. The absence of turning lanes, narrow shoulders, and heavy commuter traffic has contributed to an increase in crashes and near-misses. Moreover, Burnt Store Road is a critical hurricane evacuation and emergency response route for both Lee and Charlotte County residents. Widening this corridor would directly improve safety, reduce accident risk, and ensure smoother emergency mobility.
3. Regional and Economic Connectivity Burnt Store Road serves as a vital north-south transportation link, connecting Cape Coral to Punta Gorda, I-75, and other regional economic centers. Bottlenecks within Lee County hinder commerce, delay deliveries, and discourage investment. Completing the widening project would strengthen the region’s transportation network, promote business activity, and support sustainable community growth.
4. Coordination with Charlotte County Charlotte County has already advanced its improvements along Burnt Store Road. The remaining two-lane portion in Lee County has now become the missing link in an otherwise improving corridor. To maintain consistency and regional continuity, Lee County’s completion of its segment should be treated as a top-tier infrastructure commitment.
5. Alignment with County and Public Priorities This project aligns with the Lee County Comprehensive Plan and the Metropolitan Planning Organization’s long-range transportation goals. Residents throughout the area have repeatedly voiced strong support for completing the widening, recognizing it as essential for safety, mobility, and quality of life. We believe it is both fiscally responsible and publicly supported to prioritize Burnt Store Road over less urgent development initiatives.
Our Request
We, the undersigned citizens, respectfully urge the Lee County Board of County
Commissioners to:
1. Reallocate funding and resources to expedite all remaining phases of
the Burnt Store Road widening project.
2. Advance its construction schedule ahead of lower-impact projects not directly related to safety or regional mobility.
3. Coordinate with Charlotte County to ensure seamless completion and maximize regional benefits.
We appreciate your attention to this urgent matter and thank you for your leadership in improving transportation safety and infrastructure for the people of Lee County.
Respectfully submitted,
