Lee Commissioners confirm design direction for Cape Coral bridge replacement

Fort Myers, FL – The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted Tuesday to confirm the consensus direction reached at a Board workshop earlier this month to advance the Alternate 1 design of the Cape Coral Bridge Replacement Project and incorporate a pedestrian bridge.

The Lee Board of County Commissioners is committed to planning for growth and alleviating congestion. The Cape Coral Bridge Project is a priority and has been the subject of several Board workshops, including in 2022, early 2023 and – most recently – on Sept. 5.

Both the Alternate 1 and Alternate 2 designs would modify access to the Caloosa Yacht and Racquet Club, requiring a U-turn movement. Alternate 1 places the U-turn near the Caloosahatchee River underneath the replaced bridge structure, and it is the most cost effective option. Alternate 2 would place the U-turn closer to the Caloosa Yacht and Racquet Club entrance, but it would require the construction of an additional bridge structure.

Lee County also is maintaining a no-build option as it continues with the project development, which would include only refurbishment of existing structures. Maintaining a no-build option is a requirement of the Project Development & Environment (PD&E) Study. The project development phase is anticipated to conclude in about a year. The PD&E phase includes further opportunity for public input at a public hearing, which will be followed by a Board vote.

The bridge replacement project is expected to cost an estimated $300 million, with construction set to begin in 2026.

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