Fort Myers Beach, Bonita Springs oppose 60-foot Big Carlos Bridge replacement
Both the Town of Fort Myers Beach and Bonita Springs went on record last week in opposition to the 60-foot bridge that Lee County wants to build between them.
“We are formally expressing the Council’s support for either rehabilitating the existing bridge or constructing a new low drawbridge. This Council, as do the many town residents being negatively affected by the proposed 60-foot fixed-span bridge, does not support the high project alternative,” read an official letter signed by Mayor Tracey Gore.
Bonita Springs City Council echoed that sentiment in their meeting last Wednesday, announcing their plans to draft a letter of their own.
Councilmember Amy Quaremba cited numerous reasons she was against the 60-foot bridge.
She questioned the fact that the study’s calculations were based on projected costs instead of present value, and expressed concern that a high-span bridge would detract from her city’s “small town charm.”
“We, as a community, have the right to say we want the beach area to have a certain character,” she said.
“There’s nothing good in this for Bonita Springs. It’s all negative,” said former Bonita Springs councilman Patrick McCourt during public comment.
Rich Donnelly, president of Friends of Lovers Key State Park, also went on record at the meeting to say that the Friends are officially opposed.
“Ours is the second most visited (state) park in the system. We’re growing rapidly. With the bridge, whether it’s 60 feet or 40 feet, it’s going to impact the land Lover’s Key has.”
Steve Labelle, president of the Island Beach Club board of directors, expressed fears about a steep bridge affecting quality of life for hikers and bikers.
County commissioners held a work session to discuss their choice last Tuesday, where support for the 60-foot option was strong.
Commissioner Larry Kiker, who represents the district where the bridge sits, was the only dissenting voice.
Like Quaremba, he questioned the methods staff used to calculate costs.
According to the PD&E study, the 60-foot option would be cheapest, costing a projected $87.8 million dollars over a 75-year lifespan.
The 24-foot drawbridge would also last 75 years, but would need to be staffed, which the study projected would cost $167.6 million total.
The third option, rehabilitating the existing bridge, which is not ADA compliant and has outdated barriers, would extend its life 20 years at a projected cost of $40.2 million.
Assistant County Manager Doug Meurer attended Fort Myers Beach’s management and planning meeting last Thursday to update Council on county projects.
When asked by Gore if he still recommended going forward with the 60-foot bridge, he replied: “Based on the most economical solution, that is the preferred alternative, in terms of an engineering study.”
“Quality of life issues are taken into consideration, are they not?” Beach Council-member Anita Cereceda asked.
“Yes, they are,” he confirmed, stating that FDOT will review comments from a public hearing on the matter before final approval.
The commissioners could select a build alternative at their next BOCC meeting on Dec. 18.
At the Bonita Springs meeting, Qua-remba recommended that they ask the commissioners not to make a final decision then.
Fellow Councilmember Greg DeWitt agreed: “The bridge is going to be there for 75 years. We don’t need to make a rushed judgement.”