FORT MYERS BEACH, FL — Superior Construction and Lee County recently celebrated the completion of the Big Carlos Pass Bridge with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The new 2,266-foot fixed-span structure replaces a drawbridge that was more than 60 years old.

The new structure provides 60 feet of vertical navigation clearance and includes one travel lane in each direction, bicycle lanes, a 6-foot sidewalk along the north side of Estero Boulevard, and a 10-foot shared-use path along the south side. The project also features a specialty concrete corral barrier rail designed to preserve drivers’ views of the pass while maintaining safety. The bridge is designed for a 75-year life span.

At peak production, more than 150 crew members worked on the project, logging more than 427,000 work hours. The project also fulfilled a training requirement, with 17 trainees completing an on-the-job program.

“Big Carlos Pass is one of only two ways on and off Fort Myers Beach, so this bridge matters to everyone who lives and works on the island,” said Toby Mazzoni, Area Manager for Superior Construction. “Fort Myers Beach deserved a structure built to last, and that’s what we delivered.”

As part of the project, crews transported more than 2,400 tons of material from the old bridge 4 nautical miles into the gulf to create an artificial reef. The reef will serve as habitat for an array of marine life and a new destination for anglers and divers.