Fort Myers Beach new lighting project is focusing on installing lights to make sure major traffic areas are well illuminated. The town says the foal is to focus on key areas around the town, as well as certain portions of side streets.
Crews have already begun work on the south end of the town, with poles already being installed. Over 500 poles will stand tall to replace the lights from Hurricane Ian.
"It's extremely dangerous at night you know for people unless they have a flashlight to walk," said Joanne Brown a longtime resident of Fort Myers Beach.
Brown told Gulf Coast News that, after Ian, she stopped going outside when it turns dark.
"There's one light, and it shines, and it doesn't do anything," Brown added.
She is also worried about others.
"If you get a text or a call and somebody gets off the side of the curb the other issue coming up probably will be the bicycles and the e-bikes on the sidewalks," said Brown.
These lights will be turtle friendly and will be placed along busy roads Estero Boulevard.
People like Mike Erosky are patiently waiting.
"We'd like the lighting to come up the streets a little bit just because we don't know who's milling around," said Mike Eroksy. "If you come down after it gets dark, you won't see anybody walking the streets unless you're down by Margaritaville."
Erosky is just happy to see progress more than two years after Hurricane Ian.
"The biggest light on this beach are the residents themselves. That's what's kept me here for so long," Erosky emphasized.
The town says the lighting project is expected to be completed by November; they are hoping this helps residents and visitors see better at night.