Lee County, Fla. officials have approved the construction of the Cape Coral Bridge to replace the aging College Parkway spans that connect Cape Coral to Fort Myers. With an estimated cost of $360 million, the project, which will build two new three-lane bridges, is now moving into the bidding phase.

Initially, county officials considered a design-build process, but after further evaluation, they determined that a design-bid-build approach would allow for greater oversight and potentially reduce costs.

The actual construction portion of the project is estimated at $318 million, though officials said this figure could rise before work begins.

The existing bridges, constructed in 1963 and 1999, serve more than 51,000 vehicles daily. Traffic studies have rated the current infrastructure at a Level of Service F, indicating severe congestion during peak hours.

Additionally, safety remains a pressing concern, with more than 422 reported crashes in the bridge corridor over the past five years.

The project will extend approximately 2.3 miles from Cape Coral Parkway/Del Prado on the Cape side to McGregor Boulevard on the Fort Myers side.

Beyond increasing traffic capacity, the new bridges will feature wider shoulders, improved lighting and dedicated pedestrian and bicycle pathways to enhance safety and accessibility.

With construction expected to commence in late 2026, officials and contractors are now preparing for the bidding process that will determine who takes on the project.

Source: Newspress.com, Golfcoastnewsnow.com