No state funds for Beach’s ‘south bridge’
State funds for a project development and environmental study for the bridge that connects Fort Myers Beach to Lovers Key have been put on hold.
Gov. Rick Scott’s recently signed “Keep Florida Working Budget” for fiscal year 2015/16 did not include $1 million sought for such incremental work on Big Carlos Pass Bridge. Scott vetoed funds for the project among a record number of budget line items that totaled $461.4 million.
“The Big Carlos Pass Bridge project plans will proceed,” said Lee County spokesperson Betsy Clayton. “The project cost is estimated at $45.3 million. The project as a whole will still need to go forward despite the veto based on projected need for replacement of the bridge around the year 2021, but we’re not sure when the first phase the PD&E Study that we were seeking state funding for will proceed.”
Clayton said efforts will continue with Florida Department of Transportation officials in hopes to secure the funds for the initial stage of the bridge replacement.
“Lee County will consider asking for state funding for the PD&E study again next year and will continue working with FDOT to try to secure state funding for the overall project,” she said. “The county currently has $20 million earmarked in the five-year spending plan toward the overall project cost.”
Big Carlos Pass Bridge is among a series of four low-level bridges -known as Bonita Beach Causeway- located in Southwest Florida traversing the barrier islands of Estero Bay. Big Carlos is the largest in the chain of bridges that connect Bonita Springs to Fort Myers Beach and offers some great opportunities for anglers both on the bridge and below on the seawall.