Traffic signal coming to deadly NE Cape Coral intersection

A fix is on the way to stop crashes at a dangerous intersection in Cape Coral.

The light will go up on NE Pine Island Road where it intersects NE 24th Avenue and Hancock Creek South Boulevard.

WINK News obtained nearly half a dozen crash reports at this intersection since the beginning of 2018.

PDF: Project Map and Details

Tamara Levy-Evans of Cape Coral said she’s never got in an accident there but have witnessed them saying, “Something has to be done they can’t just leave it like that.”

That’s why starting Tuesday it’s getting a major safety upgrade to include new pedestrian signals and the biggest improvement, a new traffic light.

The improvements will take time and work is scheduled to go until the end of the year.

FDOT will spend $500,000 to put in the new traffic signal, but Levy-Evans thinks it’s worthwhile spending, “It’s a lot of money but if it’s gonna save a life.”

FDOT provided a statement below:

“The traffic study was done in October 2014 and the decision to move forward with the signalization was made in early 2015. Since we knew that we would not be able to install the signal quickly, we decided to install the quick curb to directionalize the median opening in August 2016. This eliminated the movement that was leading to the most crashes, the left out of NW 24th. Thankfully, this temporary treatment did help to improve the intersection until the signal could be constructed.

The installation took some time for a few reasons. First, all signals are custom designed and built for each intersection. Since each intersection has its own unique geometry and characteristics the materials have to be custom designed and built. We also worked with the City of Cape Coral to include some other intersection improvements that would be necessary for the intersection and new signal which are beginning soon.”