Big Carlos Pass Bridge closing June 17 for final inspection work

LEE COUNTY, Fla. (WINK) — The Big Carlos Pass Bridge is already open to traffic, but drivers will need to plan ahead for a brief closure on Wednesday night, June 17.

The bridge, which connects Estero Island and Lovers Key, will close in both directions between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. as crews wrap up final work on the project.

“Crews need to get in there and do some final inspection and some final punch list items that will let us be able to be done and out of here soon,” said Jennifer Dorning, the project’s public information consultant.

Drivers looking to avoid the closure can use Bonita Beach Road and U.S. 41.

Construction on the project began in the summer of 2023 and replaced the old drawbridge with a new fixed-span bridge over Big Carlos Pass.

“Now motorists won’t have to wait for the drawbridge to be up, which is really nice. It gives boaters a 60-foot navigational clearance over Big Carlos Pass. And this new bridge is expected to last for 75 years,” Dorning said.

The bridge also includes pedestrian and bicycle access, and people are already taking advantage of the views.

“When I drive over it at sunset, it is so beautiful. It’s so beautiful seeing all of the areas here, all the water, the little islands. It’s just gorgeous,” said nearby resident Vicki Clark.

Visitor Curt Brungardt said he was impressed by how quickly the bridge came together.

“I can’t believe in a short period of time how quickly they got that bridge done. And it’s going to be great for the whole community,” Brungardt said.

Lee County plans to hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9:30 a.m. on June 30 to mark the project’s official completion. The ceremony will take place in the shade under the south side of the Big Carlos Pass Bridge by the Lovers Key State Park bayside entrance, about two miles north of New Pass Bridge.