With only one lane in each direction, Estero Boulevard has always been a challenge for emergency vehicles to maneuver through, especially during season. The state’s construction work at the base of the bridge has made responding to emergencies even more challenging.
Fort Myers Beach Fire Chief Scott Wirth and Town Manager Andy Hyatt have issued a joint press release letting residents and visitors know about the problem and how they are planning to address it.
They say not having the bus/emergency lane in the Times Square has caused delays in responding over the Matanzas Pass Bridge and onto Estero Island. To address that issue, the Fire District and Town have implemented a temporary emergency measure. “During the daytime hours, the town’s code enforcement units will assist the fire district with responding onto the island. The Town’s rangers will stop outbound traffic at the base of the bridge on the Estero Island side prior to the emergency vehicle reaching the bridge.”
Chief Wirth and Hyatt say this action is intended to minimize the delay for responding units coming on to the island by clearing the outgoing lane of all traffic. The fire district and the town are coordinating this effort via two-way emergency radios in order to minimize the amount of time traffic is delayed. If you encounter these folks controlling the flow of traffic in the area of Fifth St. and Estero Blvd., please heed their directions and rest assured the delay will be temporary.