Mechanic warns drivers of damage possibilities from steel plate on Lee County's Edison Bridge

A temporary steel plate installed on the northbound side of the Edison Bridge in Fort Myers has caused tire damage and raised safety concerns, according to drivers and a local mechanic. Mike Whatley, a mechanic at Rednek Mechaniks, said he was alarmed after driving over the plate, which was installed as part of an emergency repair to address a damaged bridge joint from 2022. "It caught me by surprise, and I swerved hard," Whatley said. "I was in my wife's car, which is a Cadillac XT5. It's an SUV. It's lifted a little bit. That was a jarring experience." FDOT crews replaced the plate last week with a thicker metal, but drivers have reported issues. "I did sustain one blown tire, and that's definitely confirmed," said Tyler Nickleski, a driver. "I have two dented rims." Whatley explained that the bump caused by the plate could lead to significant vehicle damage. "You can cause suspension damage. You're going to bend your rims. Control arms can go bad. Good Lord, blow out tires. It's really not good," Whatley said. FDOT has placed signs warning drivers of a bump ahead, but Whatley believes the warnings are insufficient. A FDOT spokesperson said additional signage will be added. "If you're not an experienced driver, there's a good, solid chance that you're going to create an issue or some kind of an accident," Whatley said. "That's dangerous for everybody." FDOT stated that once repairs on the northbound side are complete, three areas on the southbound side will also require attention. Drivers who experience vehicle damage are advised to take pictures and file a report with FDOT. 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.