More than 20 bridges in Cape Coral considered 'functionally obsolete' by FDOT

CAPE CORAL, Fla. —

Although FDOT is calling 30 bridges in Cape Coral "functionally obsolete," city and county leaders say they are safe.

Cape Coral is home to 157 bridges. Florida's Department of Transportation inspects them every year according to the newest regulations. According to their latest report, published in April, 18 City-owned bridges were deemed "functionally obsolete."

1. Embers Parkway/Crete Canal
2. Embers Parkway EB/Nova Canal
3. Embers Parkway WB/Nova Canal
4. Diplomat Parkway EB/Zanzabar Canal
5. Diplomat Parkway WB/Zanzabar Canal
6. Del Prado Blvd/Bimini Canal
7. Vincennes Blvd/Malaga Canal
8. Country Club Boulevard/Montevideo Canal
9. Cultural Park Boulevard/Clover Canal
10. SE 8th Place/Taylor Canal
11. Cultural Park Boulevard/Moro Canal
12. Santa Barbara Boulevard/Cadman Canal
13. Santa Barbara Boulevard SB/Frontier Canal
14. Santa Barbara Boulevard NB/Frontier Canal
15. Nelson Road SB/ Hermosa Canal
16. Nelson Road NB/Hermosa Canal
17. Nelson Road SB/ Frontier Canal
18. Nelson Road NB/Frontier Canal
19. Chiquita Boulevard SB/Shadroe Canal
20. Chiquita Boulevard NB/Shadroe Canal
21. Chiquita Boulevard SB/Hermosa Canal
22. Chiquita Boulevard NB/Hermosa Canal
23. Chiquita Boulevard SB/Horseshoe Canal
24. Chiquita Boulevard NB/Horseshoe Canal
25. Chiquita Boulevard/Gator Slough
26. El Dorado Boulevard/Shadroe Canal.

A spokesperson for the city of Cape Coral says these bridges are safe. "Functionally obsolete" simply means they do not meet the latest design standards. Based on budget availability, they are scheduled for replacement or rehabilitation, but they remain safe for continued use.

The following county-owned bridges were also named "functionally obsolete."

1. Del Prado Blvd. SB/Lido Canal
2. Del Prado NB/Honolulu Canal
3. Del Prado SB/Honolulu Canal

A spokesperson for Lee County also says these bridges are safe, but Lee County DOT is planning for their eventual replacement.

One bridge was named "structurally deficient" by FDOT. It is also owned by the county.

1. Del Prado Boulevard NB/Lido Canal.

The city of Cape Coral says "structurally deficient" means the bridge requires repair or replacement. Until that happens, weight restrictions may be imposed, or the bridge is closed.

Lee County said the Del Prado NB/Lido Canal bridge is structurally sound. Lee County DOT has begun repairs to address the identified deficiencies and would expect that the next inspection will place this bridge back in the functionally obsolete category.

As for the next steps, the spokesperson for the city of Cape Coral sent NBC2 a statement saying in part, "Our next steps include regular bridge maintenance and proactive planning for the future. The ongoing Bridge Rehabilitation Program prioritizes bridges for rehab or replacement before they become structurally deficient. Our Capital Improvement Projects Department is actively working on a separate project, currently in the design phase, to repair the bridges with funding from FHWA and FDOT."