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The Caloosahatchee Bridge project -- a new pedestrian sidewalk -- will close the entire bridge beginning tonight through Aug. 11, forcing motorists to take different routes to get across the river.
Improvements will be made from First Street to North Key Drive on U.S. 41 over the Caloosahatchee River Bridge to improve pedestrian safety. The improvement will consist of an eight-foot sidewalk on the west side of the southbound bridge.
Patricia Pichette, FDOT District 1 spokesperson, said the Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization establishes pedestrian, cyclist, and motorist priorities for the community.
"Through the Lee County MPO, this project was identified as a part of the Long-Range Transportation Plan. This project aims to improve safety not only for pedestrians, but motorists as well," she said.
While the bridge is closed for 10 weeks, improvements will include enhancing bridge barriers to meet current standards, Pichette said, and upgrading LED lighting.
"During the closure, crews will complete the construction of the single median barrier, install new guardrail along the east side of the northbound lanes, and work on the sidewalk on the west side of the southbound lanes," she said. "Upon completion, this project will benefit all users and will add inherent value to the community."
After the bridge reopens there will be nighttime closures and daytime lane closures as needed.
Alternate routes include the Cape Coral Bridge from Cape Coral Parkway, the Midpoint Memorial Bridge from Veterans Parkway and the Edison Bridge from Business 41.