Burnt Store Road Widening Links Cape Coral to Fort Myers by 2028

The Florida Department of Transportation approved a $48 million widening of Burnt Store Road from two to four lanes between Diplomat Parkway and the Lee County line, with construction scheduled to start in August 2026.

The project arrives as central Cape Coral home prices have climbed above $420,000 on average, pushing buyers toward the northwest quadrant where land remains more affordable and now better connected to jobs across the Caloosahatchee River.

Local connections and city programs

The upgraded corridor runs through the northwest Cape Coral neighborhood near Burnt Store Marina and intersects Del Prado Boulevard at the existing roundabout, giving residents a direct route to the Cape Coral Community Redevelopment Agency target zone along the riverfront. City planners have already rezoned 180 acres along the new alignment for mixed-use development under the Northwest Gateway Overlay program adopted in March 2025.

Commuters will reach downtown Fort Myers in under 25 minutes once the work finishes, a change that mirrors the effect the 2019 Cape Coral Bridge expansion had on the south side of the city.

Housing data and market response

Lee County property records show median sale prices in the Burnt Store Road zip code rose 14 percent in the first half of 2026 to $312,000, while inventory sits at 62 days on market compared with 91 days citywide. Builders have filed permits for 340 townhomes and single-family units along the corridor since January, according to the Cape Coral Building Division.

Buyers considering the area should contact the city planning department before the end of August to review updated impact-fee schedules and confirm school-boundary maps for the new elementary site planned near Chiquita Boulevard.

This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.