Planning on Visiting Ft. Myers Beach Soon?
Update: 10/25/2025
For those of you seeking a little FMB south end island-update – especially if you’ve heard rumors floating around about the south bridge being “closed.” Let’s set the record straight, and share what’s really going on with the construction down at the south end of Fort Myers Beach.
What’s Not Happening
First things first: our usual route onto the island via the Matanzas Pass Bridge (aka “the drawbridge,” carrying SR 865/San Carlos Boulevard) is open and working just fine. Despite what some navigation apps might be suggesting, this bridge is not closed.
Google Maps may be re-routing around it purely out of signal-confusion or construction-adjacent works, but rest assured: you can drive your normal way in and out.
What Is Happening
The confusion may stem from a major upgrade project going on a bit south of here: the Big Carlos Pass Bridge replacement. Here’s a breakdown:
The project began in summer 2023 and is expected to be completed in mid-2026, with an estimated cost around $90 million.
The new bridge will replace the existing drawbridge span, but while it’s under construction the existing span remains in use.
Key upgrades include:
A fixed-span bridge with 60 feet of vertical clearance, which reduces the need for lift/draw operations.
One travel lane in each direction, bike lanes, a 6-foot sidewalk on the north side, and a 10-foot shared‐use path on the south side of Estero Boulevard.
Parking access to the nearby state park (Lovers Key State Park) and utility relocations.
While work is ongoing, traffic is being managed and flagged. Motorists are asked to use caution in the work zone.
So: the “south end bridge work” you’re hearing about is not the Matanzas Pass Bridge being closed or replaced right now — it’s this separate Big Carlos Pass Bridge project. That likely explains why folks are seeing weird routing in apps and assuming a closure.
What That Means For You & Visitors
You can confidently tell your friends and visitors: “Come on over — the main island access is open.” The route via San Carlos Island and the Matanzas Pass Bridge is operational and ready for traffic.
If your GPS seems to take you on a strange detour or shows a long route around the “bridge,” it’s likely picking up construction and giving generic detours. But those detours are not required for your usual access.
While on the island, just be mindful: south end traffic may fluctuate slightly, and there may be signage or lane shifts near the Big Carlos Pass work zone. But for everyday travel to and from the beach, your standard route remains ideal.
For anyone heading farther south (toward Bonita Springs or Lovers Key), be aware of the construction zone and allow for a minute of extra caution in that section.
Why the Project Is Worth It
The new bridge is being built to modern standards, offering better resilience (important post-hurricane) and improved clearance.
The addition of bike lanes and wider sidewalks means the island becomes even more accessible for walkers, cyclists and beach-goers who don’t want to drive.
Once completed, the new span will reduce drawbridge openings (less delay), and likely improve the traffic flow for both residents and visitors.
Leani’s Life in a Day Experience Says:
If you’ve heard someone say the “south bridge is closed” — tell them not true for the main island access. The Matanzas Pass Bridge is still open and fully functioning. The project folks are seeing/experiencing is the Big Carlos Pass Bridge replacement, which is a separate venture that doesn’t impact the usual entry point to the island right now.
