Lee County MPO outlines next generation traffic projects

The next generation of Lee County traffic projects was outlined at a recent Metropolitan Planning Organization meeting, highlighting infrastructure investments needed to accommodate population growth projected through 2050. 

Lee County’s population is expected to grow by more than 30% over the next 25 years, from nearly 800,000 residents to more than 1.1 million, according to the University of Florida’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research. The MPO, a coalition of elected officials from across the county, met Dec. 12 to review future transportation needs. 

That growth — an estimated 430,000 additional residents — will require expanded and improved roadways across the county. 

During public comment, one resident urged the MPO to consider a short-term adjustment with long-term implications. The Wilson Pigott Bridge, which carries Babcock Road (formerly State Road 31) over the Caloosahatchee River, has been under a truck detour since Nov. 17. The bridge is scheduled to close to all traffic in February and March so crews can replace part of its aging deck. 

Amanda Cochran, who lost to the late Mike Greenwell in the 2024 District 5 county commission race and is running again in 2026, asked the MPO to review the bridge’s October 2025 inspection report. 

“Does it contain information that the public should be aware of given the bridge’s current disability?” Cochran said. “There are still questions surrounding timing and funding related to this bridge. Its functionality is critical to the safety and welfare of our residents. The MPO should make sure it has the highest level of priority.” 

Cochran also raised concerns about closing the bridge to all traffic between Feb. 26 and March 8, dates that coincide with the Southwest Florida Ag Expo, held just north of the bridge. 

The Florida Department of Transportation responded by reviewing whether the closure dates could be adjusted to avoid conflicts with the event, Cochran said. 

While Cochran, an Alva resident, lives near one of the region’s fastest-growing areas, southeast Lee County is projected to experience the most dramatic growth. The area is expected to grow by 384% over the next 25 years, from nearly 12,000 residents to almost 60,000. Kingston, a planned community of 10,000 homes, recently broke ground and is expected to build out over that period. 

Northeast Lee County is projected to grow by 149%, from nearly 4,000 to almost 10,000 residents. Lehigh Acres is expected to double in population, from about 113,000 to 230,000 residents, according to MPO data. 

The Bayshore Road corridor, which includes the Wilson Pigott Bridge area, is projected to grow by 88%, from about 5,000 to nearly 10,000 residents. 

In central Lee County, the intersection of U.S. 41 and Six Mile Cypress Parkway/Gladiolus Drive prompted a separate presentation because of its current congestion. 

“As a matter of fact, this intersection is failing,” said Jimmy Vilce, project development manager for District 1. 

Imran Ghani, consultant project manager, outlined three potential solutions: 

Option 1: Convert Old Gladiolus Drive, which currently ends in a cul-de-sac, into a through road connecting to U.S. 41. Estimated cost: $88.6 million. Officials said this option could create traffic challenges for nearby residents. 

Option 2: Build an overpass at the intersection, at an estimated cost of $114.2 million, including roadway modifications that would later need to be reversed. 

Option 3: Create a continuous-flow intersection with a crossover left-turn lane for Gladiolus-bound traffic heading north on U.S. 41, similar to the configuration at Colonial Boulevard and Six Mile Cypress Parkway. Estimated cost: $70 million. 

The third option would reduce peak wait times from as high as 349 seconds to 30 to 40 seconds, according to FDOT modeling. 

Despite its benefits, Vilce said funding timelines could delay the project. 

“It’s a tremendous improvement from what the public is experiencing,” Vilce said. “The traditional project delivery concept is to get into design right away. The next phase would be design, which is currently not funded. However, we are thinking of doing the design in-house. It might be a few years. Unless the MPO changes its priority and this project has a higher priority.” 

Other major Lee County road projects planned or underway include: 

• Big Carlos Bridge: A new bridge connecting Fort Myers Beach with the entrance to Lovers Key State Park. The project opened to traffic Nov. 14 and is expected to be completed in mid-2026 after breaking ground in summer 2023. 

• U.S. 41 at Bonita Beach Road: Intersection improvements planned for 2041. 

• Burnt Store Road: Widening from two to four lanes from Van Buren Parkway to Charlotte County, with construction scheduled for 2036. 

• State Road 78 (Pine Island Road): Widening from four to six lanes between Burnt Store Road and U.S. 41, with design planned for 2031. 

• State Road 31: Widening to six lanes from State Road 80 to State Road 78, with construction slated to begin in 2026. 

• State Road 78: Widening to four lanes from Interstate 75 to State Road 31, with design scheduled to begin in 2026. 

• Cape Coral Bridge: Widening from four to six lanes east of Del Prado Boulevard to west of McGregor Boulevard, with construction expected to start in 2026.