ROTONDA WEST — Some Rotonda West residents say a broken bridge in their community constitutes a safety concern for their neighbors.
Rotonda West is a circular community lined with canals. It’s divided into seven wedge-shaped neighborhoods, including Pine Valley, White Marsh, Long Meadow, Broadmoor, Pinehurst, Pebble Beach and Oakland Hills.
Rotonda Boulevard south and its bridge over a canal are tucked away in the southern quadrant of the community.
Rotonda West was hit hard by category 4 Hurricane Ian in September 2022, with high winds and widespread flooding inundating several neighborhoods.
The hurricane severely damaged the bridge, and the road has been closed ever since.
Residents say Charlotte County officials should have made fixing the bridge it a priority.
Karen Harvey, a resident and member of the Rotonda West Association’s elected board of directors, has been advocating for the community since the boulevard’s closure 16 months ago.
Harvey’s concern lies with the importance of Rotonda Boulevard South. It’s a main entrance and exit point for the Pine Valley area and its residents. Although there are other ways in and out of the neighborhood, Rotonda Boulevard South is the quickest route.