Commissioners to review Cape bridge renovation plans

CAPE CORAL, Fla. — Lee County commissioners on Tuesday will assessment proposed design variations to the Cape Coral bridge.

A consortium which include Kisinger Campo & Associates, Goal Engineering & Surveying, and Johnson Engineering have proposed safety and cosmetic advancements that incorporate replacing the westbound span of the bridge, widening the eastbound, and including scenic overlooks and pedestrian locations.

A total of 2.3 miles of the roadway would be impacted, commencing at the intersection of Del Prado Blvd. and Cape Coral Pkwy., ending at the intersection of College or university Pkwy. and McGregor Blvd. in Fort Myers.

The undertaking is divided into 6 sections lanes and intersections on either facet of the bridge (sections 1 & 6) would be reconfigured to make it possible for more motor vehicle potential, and crosswalks added at all techniques.

Segment 2, Cape Coral Pkwy. W, would address a constrained suitable-of-way and deficiency of pedestrian and bicycle lodging.

Area 3 would see landscaping options, a multi-use trail and seawall building at Bernice Braden Park. A pedestrian bridge is instructed in this area but is “not at this time included in the scope of expert services,” and would charge an further $1.8 million, according to the entire presentation slideshow [PDF].

Area 4 addressed the bridges in excess of the Caloosahatchee River, proposing a complete substitute of the westbound span, which is specified “functionally out of date.” The eastbound bridge is in “quite good situation,” with widening the primary proposal for improvement.

The Higher education Pkwy. spot, Portion 5, suggests two solutions for the toll plaza: repurposing the current creating or absolutely getting rid of it. An automated toll gantry would be set up in the same space.

Maybe the most spectacular cosmetic transform to the bridge would be the addition of a scenic overlook on each bridges. Comprised of concrete, aluminum and stainless steel, the architects pledge the overlooks would be a “minimal-cost focal position” with aesthetic lighting. The overlooks would be excellent, they advise, for local community occasions this kind of as Red, White & Boom.

If authorised, a preliminary design and progress would choose about two several years to total. Ultimate design, a even further 21 months. Construction would just take an approximated a few a long time to totally comprehend.

The engineer’s sample timetable would estimate the job to be done by January 2030.