A Lee County bridge closed early April 13, and FDOT has shared detour routes.
The Florida Department of Transportation said a temporary full closure of the Wilson Pigott Bridge ― or State Road 31 ― began at 4 a.m. Monday, April 13, as crews work to install a new grid deck.
The drawbridge is over the Caloosahatchee River, just south of Babcock Ranch and near Lee County Civic Center.
“The bridge will remain fully closed to all vehicular traffic for approximately 10 days, if the weather permits,” FDOT said in the news release.
“During this time, no passenger vehicles, commercial trucks, buses, or delivery vehicles will be permitted to cross.
“FDOT recognizes that there is never a convenient time to close a bridge or disrupt daily travel. However, these repairs are essential. At the end of the day, FDOT’s top priority is safety, and completing this work now ensures the long-term reliability and safety of the bridge for everyone who depends on it.”
What are detours to avoid closed bridge
Motorists should plan ahead and allow for significant additional travel time, FDOT said, adding: “A typical 20–30-minute commute could take an hour or more during the closure.”
Traffic will be detoured via Interstate 75 to cross the Caloosahatchee River:
Northbound (Naples/Fort Myers to Babcock Ranch):
Southbound (Babcock Ranch to Fort Myers/Naples):
Emergency services, including fire rescue, law enforcement, and EMS, will be strategically positioned north of the bridge to maintain response times throughout the closure.
Efforts to reduce congestion
FDOT said it’s working closely with Lee County to manage traffic flow and minimize delays along the detour route. Signal timing adjustments will be implemented at key intersections, including:
What’s the construction timeline
Marine Traffic
Stay Informed: FDOT will continue to provide updates as construction progresses. For real-time traffic information, visit FL511.com or use the FL511 mobile app.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Alternate routes for closed drawbridge near Babcock Ranch
Reporting by Dave Osborn, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Fort Myers News-Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
