Caloosahatchee Bridge drivers endure traffic delays due to construction running late

Motorists on the Caloosahatchee Bridge in Fort Myers endured severe traffic delays Tuesday morning due to the Florida Department of Transportation pedestrian walkway project.

The construction was scheduled to conclude at 5 a.m.; however, crews continued to work, causing the traffic delays.

WINK News contacted FDOT for a response regarding the slowdowns, and a spokesperson responded it that it was a safety issue that forced crews to work later.

An FDOT public information specialist responded, “This [Tuesday] morning, southbound lane closures on the Caloosahatchee River Bridge were extended unexpectedly due to unforeseen challenges with asphalt and to ensure the safety of the work crews. The roadway
was being milled and resurfaced, and delaying the placement of the material would have created safety concerns for motorists. Therefore, the resurfacing had to be completed before reopening the roadway to traffic.”

The traffic delays were not the first backups reported due to the FDOT project.

In early November, a multi-hour slowdown was reported southbound despite overnight construction having a wrap-up time of 5 a.m.

Heavy traffic along Cleveland Avenue by the north and southbound lanes was reported Tuesday.

FDOT crews directed those heading toward the Caloosahatchee Bridge to make a U-turn.

Many drivers opted to take the alternative route by Pondella Road, where many Lee County Sheriff’s Office units were stationed.

Other drivers attempted to get past that traffic by driving through the shopping center; however, deputies redirected those drivers back onto Cleveland Avenue.

Other roads impacted by this traffic included 41 northbound, Hancock Bridge Parkway, the Edison Bridge and the Midpoint Bridge.

The slowdowns ended by around 8 a.m., with normal traffic resuming about thirty minutes later.

“This is people’s lives, and this really impacted a lot of folks this morning, and it’s not the first time,” said Rachel Cox-Rosen, traffic anchor for Wink News.

Cox-Rosen spoke about the lack of communication from FDOT about these lane closure delays on a major roadway here in SWFL.

“I can’t even count the number of times I’ve sent emails at 6:30 am saying, ‘Hey, the Caloosahatchee bridge is still closed southbound’. I don’t hear from them until way later in the day, and they’ve never given me a clear answer as to why they can’t alert drivers early in the morning when it’s going to affect them most.”

Delays are inevitable but communication from FDOT is key.

“We need to be able to trust them that when these projects are going to change when they’re going to be delayed, when they’re going to affect our lives, that they’re going to tell us and give us a heads up,” said Cox-Rosen. “Because again, it’s not just frustrating sitting in traffic. It’s not just annoying. This is people’s lives.”

FDOT says drivers can always check their website for real-time updates, but no word yet on if they will implement a better system to communicate these major delays to media or motorists.