Funding approved for Estero Boulevard storm repairs in Lee County

FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. —

The Lee County Board of County Commissioners made an agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation on Tuesday to fully cover construction inspection costs for the long-delayed hurricane repairs on Estero Boulevard.

"We're very excited. This is something that's obviously been needed since after Hurricane Ian," said Fort Myers Beach public information officer Abigail Eberhart.

Hurricane Ian caused major damage to Estero Blvd. in 2022.

"You still have areas that have been just devastated and flat ground, but you know, you see a lot of buildings. So it seems like it's coming back, and that's good to see," said Fort Myers visitor Jerome Kisscorni.

While temporary repairs were made to reopen the road safely, it still hasn't been restored to pre-storm conditions.

"The county is going to be doing some repairs to the existing cement. We get further down the beach, just to make the road more drivable, more accessible and easier to navigate," said Eberhart.

The vote Tuesday builds on actions taken last October.

"There were a couple of funding gaps that had to be approved for maintenance, inspection and other construction services. So what we recently saw was that finally getting through and being able to move forward," said Eberhart.

Work is expected to start in March. Many drivers are wondering how construction will impact traffic, since the work will start in the middle of tourist season on Fort Myers Beach.

"They are going to be starting on Estrellita by the south end so that there's not more traffic and more construction during heightened season," said Eberhart.

The project will cost $13.7 million for both construction and inspection.

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