Traffic Talk: Work on three Lee County bridges will impact traffic as early as Aug. 11

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3 days ago

It's lining up to be a perfect storm for traffic as work on three Lee County bridges starts as early as Monday (Aug. 11) for two, which happens to be the first day of school.
What the impact will be is difficult to say (at least it's not season), but motorists should expect some delays in the spots as crews work toward the finish line on all three projects.
Here's what to know:
Edison Bridge (State Road 739): Daytime lane closures
According to the Florida Department of Transportation, motorists should expect daytime lane closures on northbound SR 739 over the Edison Bridge beginning Aug. 11 between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Work is anticipated to last approximately two weeks.
Crews will be performing maintenance work. Motorists should be cautious and expect delays when traveling through the work zone.
All scheduling is subject to change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. For real-time traffic updates, visit FL511.com
Fort Myers Beach: Matanzas Bridge project
As part of ongoing improvements, the right southbound lane of Matanzas Pass Bridge will be closed intermittently during daytime hours to allow crews to install conduit for permanent bridge lighting, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
This intermittent lane closure will begin Aug. 11, through Aug.15, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. During this time, one lane of traffic in each direction will remain open throughout the duration of the work.
Motorists should be cautious and expect delays when traveling through the work zone. All scheduling is subject to change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
For real-time traffic updates, visit FL511.com.
For more information on the project and to view improvement plans, visit the project website at: 433726-2 San Carlos Blvd (SR 865) or call the project hotline at 239-800-6375.
Big Carlos Pass Bridge: Nighttime intermittent closures
According to Lee County, Big Carlos Pass Bridge will close to vehicles intermittently beginning at 8 p.m. Aug. 19, through 6 a.m. the following morning (Aug. 20) to allow crews to set bridge beams connecting the new bridge to Estero Island.
The contractor expects multiple closures during this time, lasting approximately 30 minutes each. Motorists should anticipate delays and are encouraged to seek alternative routes and avoid the area when possible. If required due to weather, the work will be rescheduled to 8 p.m. Aug. 20, through 6 a.m. Aug. 21.
This work is a part of Lee County's project to construct a new bridge over Big Carlos Pass, from Estrellita Drive on Fort Myers Beach to the Lovers Key State Park bayside entrance on Lovers Key. The new bridge will replace the existing moveable bridge over Big Carlos Pass with a fixed span bridge that will provide a vertical navigation clearance of 60 feet.
The new bridge will include one travel lane in each direction, bicycle lanes, a six-foot-wide sidewalk along the north side of Estero Boulevard, and a 10-foot-wide shared use path along the south side of Estero Boulevard. A parking area with access to the Lovers Key State Park will be included on the southeast side of the bridge. The project also includes relocation of existing infrastructure for Lee County Utilities and Bonita Springs Utilities.
The project began in Summer 2023 with estimated completion in Summer 2026. The project cost is about $90.8 million.
For more information about the project, visit the project website at https://bigcarlosbridgeproject.com/.
For more information about the Lee County Department of Transportation, visit www.leegov.com/dot.
To receive updates from Lee County Government, including notice of meetings with links to agenda, sign up for the newsletter at www.leegov.com/resources/newsletters. Follow Lee County Government on Facebook, www.facebook.com/leecountyflbocc.
Sanibel Causeway restoration: Update
According to the Florida Department of Transportation as of Aug. 7:
Crews are completing final items west of the toll plaza. The 35 MPH speed limit has been restored west of the toll plaza. Reduced speed limits remain enforced east of the toll plaza. Pedestrians are not permitted on the Sanibel Causeway.
The following work activities above are scheduled to occur; however, unforeseen underground conditions and weather may affect this schedule.
The Punta Rassa Boat Ramp remains closed to the public. The contractor continues work to restore the staging area at Punta Rassa in preparation for handing the area back over to Lee County later this summer.
The contractor is installing signage and lighting east of the toll plaza.
Work by others: Motorists are advised that when traveling on island, Bay 3 remains closed for Lee County to continue work on toll equipment.
Work by others: Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation continues to monitor Least Tern nesting on the Causeway and continues work on the north side of McGregor Boulevard for mangrove restoration. For more information, visit: www.sccf.org.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Is the Fort Myers Beach bridge being expanded?
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