Drivers on Fort Myers Beach may see a little air let out of the traffic balloon this week. The Florida Department of Transportation has completed enough of its road construction project to reopen the bridge exit on Estero Boulevard in front of Margaritaville.
In addition to all the construction projects, and seasonal traffic, having that bridge closed added to the traffic nightmare on the island. For nearly a year, drivers had to exit the island by using Crescent street and Fifth street. To try to alleviate backups at the Crescent street traffic light, the town had the stop sign at Crescent and 5th removed. Not every driver kept the traffic flowing at that intersection having been trained for so many years that there had been a stop sign there. That stop sign has been put back up.
The State of Florida sent out a press release Monday afternoon that stated the reopening of the bridge is, for the most part, permanent. “Motorists can now access the northbound thru lane heading off-island, marking a major milestone towards the final configuration of the intersection. The previous detour allowed the contractor to safely
complete critical work, including widening the roadway to accommodate a new exit lane,
constructing new traffic islands and separators, and completing drainage improvements, concrete work, and the new northbound bus bay. Motorists should still anticipate intermittent nighttime lane closures between the hours of
6 p.m. and 7 a.m. throughout the remainder of the project. Pedestrians are reminded that the northbound sidewalk near Margaritaville will remain closed until the crosswalks are complete. Pedestrians need to use the posted detour crossing at Crescent Street to access the beach. The opening of the sidewalk is anticipated for Summer 2025.”
The road construction project at the base of the bridge will eventually include an oval and an additional traffic light which the state says will help keep traffic flowing on the island. It will also include an area for pedestrians to cross Estero Boulevard.
The $13 million project is expected to be completed in early 2026 according to the Florida Department of Transportation website. Eventually the Matanzas pass Bridge will have two lanes coming onto the island, one exiting, and an expanded pedestrian walking path on one side.
6 pm last night- traffic moving at a slow but nice pace from the South end- and congestion started at Sea Grape- but moving.
A fantastic improvement!
Lanes are open but the two sheriffs directing traffic are still holding up traffic for pedestrians. What is the point in the walk over? These officers couldn’t direct a one way go cart track let alone hundreds of cars. Wednesday evening 5pm traffic backed up past the 7/11. Why? Well because the officers are horrible at handling traffic
Yea!!!! It was only backed up the library at 12:30 this afternoon.
This is too early to comment on but the lanes off island should be 2 after 2pm and before 2pm both on. How hard is this to understand on moving traffic in an overcrowded island with no street corrections for years.