The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), District One, began a Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study in January 2020 along approximately 5.7 miles of Burnt Store Road from Van Buren Parkway to just north of the Charlotte County Line in Lee County. This study is evaluating alternatives to widen this segment of Burnt Store Road from a two-lane undivided roadway to a four-lane divided roadway, and to four lanes expandable to six lanes. The study also includes evaluation of bridge improvement options over Gator Slough Canal. The estimated completion date of this study is the end of 2024.

FDOT uses an environmental and engineering process called a PD&E Study to determine social, economic, natural, and physical effects associated with proposed transportation improvement projects. The phases that follow the PD&E Study are design of the project, acquisition of right-of-way, if necessary, and construction of the improvements.

A public workshop was held on August 30, 2022 (in-person) and September 1, 2022 (virtual). Documents presented at the meetings are available under the "Documents" section below.

A public hearing is tentatively planned for fall 2024.