Work on hurricane-damaged Fort Myers Beach Times Square traffic light starts Monday

FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. —

Crews are set to begin work Monday to repair and upgrade traffic lights at the intersection of Estero Boulevard and Old San Carlos Boulevard in Fort Myers Beach, which were damaged by Hurricane Ian more than three years ago.

Right now, the area is operating as a busy three-way stop.

"It's just kind of a weird interaction with cars because it's just a weird area, you know?" said Brody Josselyn, a Fort Myers resident.

Paul Jalpert, an employee at Bella Mozzarella Pizza on Fort Myers Beach, described the intersection as a key area for foot traffic. "This is the busiest intersection, for sure," Jalpert said. "A lot of foot traffic. You know, it leads right into the beach over here. So, with this light here, I believe it will help a little bit."

The upgrades, which are ahead of schedule, will elevate equipment to protect against future storm surges. Additional improvements, a part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency-funded project, include pedestrian signals, Americans with Disabilities Act ramps, and cameras.

"We want tourists to come here to spend money, revive our businesses," said Abigail Eberhart, Fort Myers Beach public information officer. "The beach is back, so having pedestrians come back and are able to be safe really is a top priority for sure,"

The traffic light repair is just one project going on in the area. Crews have already begun groundwork to build new restrooms and amenities at Lynn Hall Memorial Park.

Visitors and residents told Gulf Coast News that both projects are exciting.

"Whatever we can do to keep everybody safe so that tourism remains strong here in Fort Myers, because everybody loves it here," said Mary Ostmoe, a visitor from Minnesota.

Josselyn added, "I think overall this area needs that, and it's grown a lot over the couple months, you know, and I think it'll be good for the community here."

Work on the traffic lights will take place overnight, from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., with some intermittent lane closures expected.

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