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Commissioners call for traffic study after backups on State Road 52 and Bellamy Boulevard
Summary
Multiple commissioners told the board they experienced long backups on State Road 52 at Bellamy Boulevard and urged staff to study the county's road network, consider Collier Parkway extensions and prioritize projects to relieve congestion ahead of new development.
Commissioners said ongoing congestion on State Road 52 and Bellamy Boulevard is already producing severe backups and could worsen as planned development and large projects move forward.
"I was stopped over a mile from Bellamy Brothers in line waiting on the light to change… the traffic coming to the east on 52 was backed up all the way past Erin Cutoff," Commissioner Oakley said during commissioner reports, describing recent travel delays and citing nearby development plans.
Commissioners raised concerns that development projects — including Palmetto Ridge and other commercial and residential proposals — could add traffic before road improvements are completed. Several members urged the county to commission a comprehensive traffic study and convene a workshop to examine the countywide road network, connectivity and priority projects.
"I wanted to suggest that we ask our staff to embark on a traffic study for the county…and then we have a workshop on it," one commissioner said, noting a need to evaluate relievers such as Collier Parkway extension and additional east‑west corridors.
Discussion included suggestions to preserve industrial land for projects that require large truck movement, explore added overpasses at key intersections, and examine funding and timing for state-controlled segments of SR 52. Commissioners asked staff to return with data and possible solutions; no formal vote was taken at the meeting.
Why this matters: Commissioners framed the conversation as planning to prevent congestion that could accompany near-term development. The board signaled interest in a county-level technical review and a follow‑up workshop to align land use, road upgrades and development timing.
