Residents worry the proposed McGregor Blvd. median will make neighboring streets more dangerous

Reporter: Justin Kase Writer: Matthew Seaver
Published: Updated:
(Credit: Florida Department of Transportation)

Businesses and neighbors are continuing to speak out about the median that has been proposed for McGregor Boulevard in south Fort Myers. They believe it will make other streets more dangerous.

The median on McGregor would stretch between Cypress Lake Drive and Edinburgh Drive.

If the median goes up, neighbors worry it will push more drivers into neighborhoods that run along Mcgregor as they try to turn around and get to the other side of the street.

There are no sidewalks or streetlights in many of those neighborhoods and with all the people who walk along these streets, neighbors worry safety improvements to McGregor will make their streets more dangerous.

The Department of Transportation’s proposal would mean no left turns between Cypress Lake to just north of College Parkway.

Jessica Wolter, owner of Sunman’s Nursery and Landscaping, said, “it’s going to ruin a lot of small businesses.”

Wolter’s business has been in her family for 66 years. With no one able to access it from the southbound side of McGregor, she worries her business won’t survive. “This is not just my business. This is all the businesses.”

Next door, General Manager of Mark Loren Designs Cameron Pelle says he understands improving safety but hopes it’s done a different way.

“We’ve not seen any crashes in the last five years. Maybe closer to the bridge area, that happens, but at this end of the corridor, we don’t have that situation,” said Pelle.

FDOT released maps of the proposed area showing everything from fender benders to fatal crashes. The majority are near the Cypress Lake and College Parkway intersections. You can find them here or in the document below:

https://winknews.com/wp-content/uploads/SR867CRASHES.pdf

Lauren Pitts said, “I will no longer be able to make a left turn in order to get home and that’s going to force me to cut through some residential areas.”

That is exactly what Kay Gloris worries about, “I don’t know. It’s not good for us.”

She wants to continue feeling safe walking her dog through her neighborhood.

Gloris also points out that a new median could mean longer response times from first responders. “An ambulance coming from the hospital. What are they going to do? Go down to the landings and make a turn? It’s just not right. It’s just not right.”

FDOT is accepting feedback on the project until Friday, Feb. 4. You can submit your feedback to FDOT Project Manager Katherine Chinault by email at Katherine.Chinault@dot.state.fl.us or by phone at 863-519-2777.

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