Lee Board of County Commissioners voted to award a construction contract to replace the Big Carlos Pass Bridge, as well as to approve design changes for the Cape Coral Bridge and resiliency measures and recreational amenities for the Sanibel Causeway. Connecting the south end of Fort Myers Beach to Lover’s Key on Estero Boulevard, Big Carlos Pass Bridge will receive a new fixed span bridge with a 60-foot navigation clearance over Big Carlos Pass with a lifespan of 75 years, a fishing pier and pedestrian/bicycle-friendly features as a part of a $90.8 million contract with Superior Construction Company Southeast LLC. Construction is expected to begin in late spring. The design changes for the Cape Coral Bridge are to replace both the eastbound and westbound spans, gaining an additional 40-plus years of useful life at the present-day value of $20 million with construction to begin in 2027. Commissioners reached a consensus to incorporate resiliency measures for the Sanibel Causeway along with previously approved recreational amenities — a bike lane, turn lanes, designated parking areas and recreational improvements — into the Florida Department of Transportation’s permanent repairs after Hurricane Ian. The cost of the improvements as a part of FDOT’s proposed permanent repairs is $285.3 million, of which the Federal Highway Administration would fund $239.3 million and Lee County would be responsible for $46.1 million. The county is responsible for the $5.6 million needed for recreational amenities.