Fort Myers Beach traffic light restored at busy intersection more than 3 years after Hurricane Ian

The traffic light at the busy intersection of Old San Carlos and Estero boulevards in Fort Myers Beach is back in service, marking another step in the area’s recovery from Hurricane Ian. Peter Ennis, who works in Fort Myers Beach, shared his thoughts on the progress. "It was tough, but it's nice to see some things coming back," Ennis said. Ennis also highlighted the importance of the restored traffic light for improving access to the beach. "It's nice to see some lights here so we can get some traffic flowing onto the beach," he said. Todd Catronio, project manager for the repairs, emphasized the importance of ensuring the reliability of the traffic light. "Everyone trusts the green light, and it's our job to make sure that trust has been gained every single day when they go through it," Catronio said. For perspective, the light on Estero Boulevard takes roughly 20 to 25 seconds to change from red to green. The Lee County Department of Transportation used federal funding for the repairs, and Catronio described the project as a personal priority. "When you care about the job that you're doing, you tend to get it done sooner rather than later," he said. Ennis said he expects the traffic light to bring a positive change to the area. "It should be a very smooth, good transition into more visitors, more tourists," he said. While the traffic light is now operational, workers will continue making minor repairs to the intersection over the next few days. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment, and original programming on your TV.