THE KEY RESULTS OF THE ENGAGE ESTERO TRAFFIC SURVEY
The Engage Estero session focused on the 2024 Traffic Study by Johnson Engineering, featuring Village Manager Steve Sarkozy, Public Works Director David Williams, and Leah Holmes from the Johnson Engineering. Leah Holmes presented comprehensive traffic data from peak season 2024 and projected conditions for 2034. Key findings include:
• Traffic Growth: Projected growth rates of 1% to 3% annually are significant, especially on Corkscrew Road, Williams Road, and Three Oaks Parkway.
• Intersection and Roadway Conditions: Many intersections function at low service levels (D, E, F), with deterioration expected by 2034 without interventions.
• Safety Concerns: Identified intersections with high crash rates, particularly Corkscrew Road at Three Oaks Parkway and U.S. 41 at Williams Road, have experienced fatalities due to left turns.
• Recommendations
○ Adjust signal timing and use adaptive technologies to enhance flow.
○ Specific roadway improvements include turning lanes, roundabouts, and intersection modifications, such as extending turn lanes, adding signals, and removing hazardous left turns.
○ Emphasized collaboration with Lee County and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to implement improvements.
Q&A Session Summary
The public expressed concerns mainly regarding:
• Corkscrew Road East: Heavy traffic from new developments (Kingston, etc.), skepticism about the adequacy of the growth rate projections, urgent need for widening and improving safety.
• Three Oaks Parkway: Proposals to extend turning lanes and possibly add more lanes to ease congestion.
• Signal Timing: There is significant criticism regarding the current management of traffic
signals, with demands for more intelligent and adaptive traffic systems.
• Safety: Strong consensus against permissive left turns due to fatalities, with recommendations to use protected signals or roundabouts.
• Roundabouts: Broad support for more roundabouts as safer alternatives to traditional intersections.
• Regional Coordination: Highlighting the significance of collaborating with Lee County and FDOT, acknowledging regional impacts that extend beyond Estero.
• Development Impact: Advocates for slowing or temporarily pausing development until infrastructure sufficiently supports increased traffic.
• Community Input: Requests for a more apparent prioritization of projects, emphasizing safety.
The session on March 24 concluded with the Village Management and Engage Estero leadership encouraging residents to participate in and actively support community efforts. Financial contributions to Engage Estero will ensure that fact-based information continues to inform our community about important issues and developments, emphasizing that grassroots advocacy is essential for achieving the desired traffic improvements.
A more complete report, the PowerPoint presentation, and the YouTube video of the meeting can be accessed on the front page of the Engage Estero website, http://www.esterotoday.com.
Additionally, you can reach the April Traffic Survey summary, video and presentation slides at:
Important Meeting about the Sports and Recreation Complex to be held May 23rd
The Village Management and the Projects Manager will provide an update on the Estero Recreation and Sports Complex on May 23.
The meeting, which is open to the public, will take place at the Estero Recreation Center, located at 9285 Corkscrew Palms Blvd (inside the Estero Community Park), Estero, FL, on Friday, May 23, at 10 a.m. The Estero Recreation and Sports Complex represents the most significant investment made by the Village in its 10-year history. It will be situated on the parcel of land between Williams Road and Via Coconut Point. High 5 Entertainment will construct the Pickleball courts at this site, along with several other attractions. The site plan allows ample space for additional recreation and sports-related partnerships, some of which may be announced during the meeting.
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights from Steve Sarkozy, David Willems, and Michael Comparato and become more informed about the Complex. It’s also your chance to have your questions answered and provide input into the development. Your presence is crucial to the success of this meeting and the future of the Complex.
Due to limited seating, please register your intention to attend this May 23 event as soon as possible.
The link for registration is https://esterotoday.com/may2025
Don’t forget, if you are not receiving Engage Estero’s free regular communications, you can easily sign up to do that on the front page of the website. http://www.esterotoday.com.
