Matanzas Pass Bridge reopens
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UPDATE:
The Matanzas Pass Bridge has reopened this afternoon on Fort Myers Beach after the Florida Department of Transportation and U.S. Coast Guard assessed the bridge for any damage after a shrimp boat struck the bridge this morning.
Original post: Matanzas Pass Bridge closed after shrimp boat collision
Matanzas Pass Bridge closed after shrimp boat collision
Photo provided
A shrimp boat from Texas collided with the Matanzas Pass Bridge this morning, closing the Fort Myers Beach bridge until further notice.
The Florida Department of Transportation and U.S. Coast Guard are currently assessing the bridge for damage from the boat.
One Town of Fort Myers Beach official expects the bridge to be closed at least a few more hours until the Florida Department of Transportation can assess the damage.
“We were alerted by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District that a shrimp boat had struck the bridge and that it would be closed until the Florida Department of Transportation could evaluate the damage,” Fort Myers Beach Mayor Dan Allers said. “We have not heard that any cars or people were injured. That is all the information we currently have.”
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office said the bridge will be reopened once the Florida Department of Transportation ensures its safety.
“We are assisting the Florida Department of Transportation and the U.S. Coast Guard with inspecting the bridge. The inspection will determine the duration of the bridge closure. That will be made by the Florida Department of Transportation,” Lee County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Autumn King said. “There were no injuries and no vehicles on the bridge were affected,” King said.
The Matanzas Pass Bridge, on the north side of the island, is one of two entrance ways onto Fort Myers Beach. Big Carlos Pass connects the island on its southern end.