It’s a question residents have been asking for many years. The current Town Council says yes there will be lights and they will be turtle friendly and safe for humans. When FPL’s contractor will begin the project is still an unknown.
This week the Fort Myers Beach Town Council voted to accept a $7.8 million grant from the Florida Division of Emergency Management. The money will be used to pay an FPL contractor to purchase and install turtle-friendly amber lights on Estero Boulevard.
In previous years, the lights were so old and outdated, the majority of them had to be turned off during turtle season to avoid disorientations.
The $7.8 million will be used to purchase 442 new amber fixtures and 258 new light poles. 24.62 miles of lighting conduit will also be laid underground. Lee County owns Estero Boulevard and will be putting in about $1.4 million to install turtle-friendly lights on side streets.
While it’s unknown when this project will begin, Town Manager Andy Hyatt says it should take about a year to complete.
Once the lights are installed the town will have a 10-year maintenance contract with FPL. After that the town owns the system and is responsible for its upkeep. The town does not own the lighting system in place now.
Mayor Dan Allers says the new amber lights will cost residents about 50% less when compared to the less efficient lights that were along Estero Boulevard before the storm. The LED amber lights are more energy efficient.
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