Lee County Begins $90.8M Big Carlos Pass Bridge Replacement, Expects Finish by Summer 2026

Lee County kicked off work on a $90.8 million replacement for the Big Carlos Pass Bridge in summer 2023. Superior Construction won the contract. The new span should open by summer 2026, as per the official Big Carlos Bridge Project website.

The current drawbridge over Big Carlos Pass will give way to a fixed span rising 60 feet above the water. Boats can pass under without stopping traffic. The span links Estrellita Drive on Fort Myers Beach with the bayside entrance to Lovers Key State Park.

Workers will shut down the crossing Tuesday, Jan. 6, and Friday, Jan. 9, between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. Crews plan to hoist the last beams for Span 1 near Estero Island during these windows. Expect several closures, each lasting around 30 minutes. Drivers should plan for delays. Find another way around if you can. The Lee County Department of Transportation announced these nighttime shutdowns.

When finished, the span will have one lane going each way plus bike lanes. A 6-foot sidewalk will run along the north side of Estero Boulevard. The south side gets a 10-foot shared-use path.

A parking lot on the southeast side will provide access to Lovers Key State Park. Crews must also move existing pipes and lines for Lee County Utilities and Bonita Springs Utilities.

This project replaces the old drawbridge system. That setup required opening and closing for boats. The 60-foot clearance means vessels can glide underneath without interrupting cars above.