New Big Carlos Pass Bridge gets a ribbon
Lee County and Fort Myers Beach officials on Tuesday celebrated the completion of the Big Carlos Pass Bridge replacement project and a new artificial reef created out of the remains of the old bridge, as well as new park space connected to the beach.
County commissioners and town councilmembers joined together to cut a ribbon underneath the new $91 million bridge. A new park will soon join them connected to Lovers Key beach.
The Lee County project began in 2023.
The 60-foot vertical clearance, fixed-span bridge replaces the former 23-foot-high draw bridge over Big Carlos Pass. The bridge connects Bonita Springs to Fort Myers Beach. The old bridge required vehicles to stop whenever a large boat was passing through which needed extra clearance.
The new bridge also includes bicycle lanes, a six-foot-wide sidewalk along the north side of Estero Boulevard, and a 10-foot shared-use path along the south side of Estero Boulevard.
The next step will be for the county’s parks and recreation department to do landscaping around the park and for the county, and for the installation of parking spaces underneath the bridge so the public can access the park and the beach.
As a part of the project, sections of the old bridge were repurposed to create the Big Carlos Bridge Artificial Reef. The new reef is made up of more than 2,400 tons of bridge material and is about four nautical miles west of Big Carlos Pass (26° 22.850’N, -81° 57.733’W). This reef immediately creates new habitat for an array of marine organisms, many of which are recreationally and commercially important species. The reef also provides a new destination for anglers and divers to explore, Lee County officials said.
According to county spokesperson Betsy Clayton, the Big Carlos Reef cost $215,000. “It should be noted that $61,155.40 of that was covered by a donation the Board of County Commissioners accepted Feb. 20, 2024, from the estate of Courtney E. Towle, who requested the funds be used for the Lee County Artificial Reef Program. This program creates stable marine habitat to provide benefits to fisheries and create recreational opportunities. At the time of the Board’s acceptance, the vote included that it would be use for the Big Carlos Pass Bridge reef project.”
Lee County Commissioner David Mullicka said that as a demolition contractor, he appreciates the way the contractors were able to reuse the demolition material from the old bridge for the artificial reef. “The best of both. nothing went to waste,” Mullicka said.
The new bridge is expected to have a lifespan of 75 years.
Lee County Commissioner Brian Hamman said the bridge is “definitely built for the future of Fort Myers Beach and Bonita Beach as well. This is a bridge that will be much more resilient for future storms.”
Hamman said the pedestrian access on both sides of the bridge “adds a new element” to the bridge. “I have heard many people say this is the best view for any walk in Lee County,” Hamman said.
Lee County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Cecil Pendergrass said he expects the new bridge will be “much more resilient” than the old bridge. “Our choice between the draw bridge was a no-brainer for me,” Pendergrass said. “It’s just another great addition to our county.”