CAPE CORAL PARKWAY EAST SIX LANE PROJECT

The Cape Coral Parkway East Six-Lane Improvement Project

The parkway project (also referred to as the Cape Coral Parkway East 6-Laning Improvements or six-laning project) is a City of Cape Coral initiative to ease chronic traffic congestion on a key east-west arterial in the southern part of the city.

It primarily reconfigures and restripes the existing roadway (rather than building entirely new lanes) to create six continuous through lanes in the targeted section, along with associated safety and operational upgrades. The project was approved by City Council on April 1, 2026 (7-1 vote), and construction by the awarded contractor is expected to begin soon.

Project Location and Limits

Core roadway work: Resurfacing and restriping between Triton Court East and just west of Cape Coral Street / Southeast 15th Avenue.
Overall six-lane section: Creates six continuous through lanes on Cape Coral Parkway East between Coronado Parkway and Del Prado Boulevard.
Signal and related improvements: Extend from Chiquita Boulevard to Del Prado Boulevard (covering eight signalized intersections).

This segment serves the growing entertainment district and South Cape area, where congestion has been a frequent complaint from residents.

Six Lane Improvement Purpose

The project aims to improve traffic flow, add capacity without major right-of-way expansion, enhance safety (e.g., longer turn lanes and better signage), upgrade aging infrastructure (signals, curbs, sidewalks), and reduce hazards. It is part of broader city efforts to address roadway capacity in a rapidly growing area, though residents and drivers have noted it is a partial fix pending larger projects like the separate Cape Coral Bridge replacement.

Key Project Components

Resurfacing and restriping pavement to create the additional through lanes (primarily by removing on-street parking and adjusting the layout).
Removing the existing median between Triton Court East and Manor Court to build a longer turn lane.
Installing nine new signal heads on existing poles/mast arms and rewiring eight signalized intersections (between Chiquita Boulevard and Del Prado Boulevard), including retiming.
Installing additional signage for improved traffic guidance.
Removing 33 street trees identified as roadside hazards to support the expanded lanes and improve motorist safety (trees have already been marked with X’s).
Replacing curb and gutter plus paver sidewalks along the newly expanded travel lanes.

Note on impacts: The reconfiguration eliminates some street parking and turn lanes on the sides, which has raised concerns among nearby businesses (e.g., restaurants with sidewalk patios). Lane closures will occur during construction.

Project Timeline

Contract duration: 210 calendar days (roughly 7 months) after notice to proceed.
Some local skepticism exists about the timeline, but the city has described construction as taking about 4–7 months depending on the source.

As of mid-April 2026, the project is in the pre-construction phase (trees marked for removal; contractor mobilization underway).

Contractor and Anticipated Total Costs

Contractor: Ajax Paving Industries of Florida, LLC (low bidder).
Awarded contract amount: $2,259,296.47.
City-controlled contingency: $112,964.82.
Anticipated total project cost: $2,372,261.29.

This figure represents the full anticipated cost for the improvement project as bid and approved. No additional major funding sources (e.g., state or federal grants) were highlighted in recent reports; it is a city-funded roadway improvement.

This is a targeted, relatively low-cost operational and safety enhancement compared to full-scale widening or bridge projects. For the most current status, check the City of Cape Coral’s website, public meeting agendas, or contact the Public Works/Engineering Department, as construction details may evolve.

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