Age and condition of the bridge and escalating maintenance costs are the drivers for the replacement of the westbound span.

The westbound span of the Cape Coral Bridge opened to traffic in 1964, when it served traffic in both directions as the only bridge to Cape Coral. In 1989, the eastbound span was added just south of the original bridge, creating a four-lane roadway.

Motorists made nearly 50,000 annual average daily trips over the bridge in 2021.

Construction on the span is planned to begin in 2026. Total project costs are estimated at $185 million.

The Lee Board of County Commissioners awarded the design contract in April 2022 to Kisinger Campo & Associates Corp., which was selected through the competitive negotiation request for proposal process. The contract also includes a Project Development and Environment Study.

The Board held a workshop on the Cape Coral Bridge project on May 17, 2022.

Four lanes of traffic will be open throughout construction. The new eastbound bridge will be built south of the current eastbound bridge. It can temporarily hold 4 lanes of traffic, two in each direction, maintaining the current conditions. Then, both of the current bridges will be demolished. The new westbound bridge will be built in the footprint of the current bridges. The new bridges will each provide 3 lanes of traffic and a shared use path.