Ribbon-cutting ceremony set for new Big Carlos Pass Bridge and Big Carlos Bridge Artificial Reef
Fort Myers, FL, June 9, 2026 – Lee County invites the community to celebrate the completion of the new Big Carlos Pass Bridge and the Big Carlos Bridge Artificial Reef with a ribbon cutting at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 30.
The event will happen in the shade under the south side of the bridge by Lovers Key State Park, about 2 miles north of New Pass Bridge. The Big Carlos Pass Bridge is about 6 miles south of the Matanzas Pass Bridge and connects Estero Island to Lovers Key.
The bridge project includes:
- A new fixed-span bridge with a 60-foot navigation clearance over Big Carlos Pass, replacing the aged bascule bridge
- One travel lane in each direction
- Bicycle lanes
- A 6-foot-wide sidewalk along the north side of Estero Boulevard
- A 10-foot shared-use path along the south side of Estero Boulevard
- Relocation of existing infrastructure for Lee County Utilities and Bonita Springs Utilities
As a part of the project, sections of the old bridge were repurposed to create the Big Carlos Bridge Artificial Reef. The new reef is made up of more than 2,400 tons of bridge material and is about 4 nautical miles west of Big Carlos Pass (26° 22.850’N, -81° 57.733’W). This reef immediately creates new habitat for an array of marine organisms, many of which are recreationally and commercially important species. The reef also provides a new destination for anglers and divers to explore.
The Florida Department of Transportation completed a Project Development & Environment Study for the Big Carlos Pass Bridge Replacement in October 2021. Construction of the bridge began in summer 2023; the bridge is expected to have a lifespan of 75 years.
The official ribbon-cutting event will include brief remarks from Lee County Commissioners and other officials. Attendees are encouraged to wear appropriate footwear, as the parking lot is an uneven surface.
Those unable to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony can watch it via livestream on Lee County’s YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/@LeeCountyFLBOCC/videos or on Lee County’s Facebook channel,
www.facebook.com/leecountyflbocc.
Additional information is available:
Bridge – www.leegov.com/dot
Artificial reef – www.leegov.com/naturalresources/marine/ArtificialReefs
To receive updates from Lee County Government, sign up for the newsletter here:
www.leegov.com/resources/newsletters and follow on social media: www.leegov.com/socialmedia.
On Friday, November 14 the newly constructed, fixed-span bridge over Big Carlos Pass opened to travel!
LeeTran trolley stops on the east side of the bridge are open for service. Pedestrian and bicyclist access will be limited until the completion of span 1 (closest to Fort Myers Beach).
Big Carlos Pass Bridge Replacement on Estero Boulevard
from Estrellita Drive to the Lovers Key State Park Entrance
Lee County began construction on the Big Carlos Pass Bridge in summer 2023. The new bridge will replace the existing moveable bridge over Big Carlos Pass with a fixed bridge that will provide a vertical navigation clearance of 60 feet. The new bridge will be constructed on the Gulf side of the existing bridge, and will include one travel lane in each direction, bicycle lanes, a six-foot-wide sidewalk along the north side of Estero Boulevard, and a 10-foot-wide shared use path along the south side of Estero Boulevard. A parking area will be included on the southeast side of the bridge. Construction of the new bridge is expected to be completed in mid-2026.
Notice to Boaters: Please avoid the construction equipment and the temporary trestle located in the water. Please use the channel when traveling through Big Carlos Pass. To contact the bridge tender, please call: 239-955-3973.
Click here to view photos of the Groundbreaking held on June 15, 2023.
The existing bridge will remain in use while the new bridge is under construction.
Check back on this site for the construction schedule and project updates.