CRA gets update on Cape Coral Bridge project
The Community Redevelopment Agency board got an update on the preliminary design for the new Cape Coral Bridge Tuesday afternoon.
The project is 2.1 miles in length from Del Prado Boulevard to McGregor Boulevard.
Transportation Principal Planner Laura Dot went over some of the related changes, which include lane re-purposing at Del Prado Boulevard and Cape Coral Parkway intersection to improve the level of service and reduce delays.
This includes the addition of a third lane in each direction east of Del Prado Boulevard to increase capacity.
“The widening is proposed to occur in the inside of the existing median with a re-purposing of the center left turn lane,” she said, which is intended to enhance safety.
The opposing traffic will be separated by a continuous concrete median barrier. From east bound to west bound, a u-turn lane is proposed under the bridge and within Bernice Braden Park.
Of those changes, she brought forward five key elements. Specifically, Waikiki Avenue will go from a two-lane east-bound with a designated south-bound right turn to a three-lane east-bound with a designated pedestrian island.
Another key element is that Southeast 17th Avenue will change from a one-way southbound with on street parking and eliminate the right turn off of Cape Coral Parkway.
Dot said three other items worth noting includes the relocation of the Veterans Monument as that area will include a continuous median up to the bridge, and lastly the u-turn movement has now been accommodated.
Interim Public Works Director Persides Zambrano said it will take two years to complete the design, with permitting taking three years. Construction will take 48 months.
“They are going to have to keep that bridge flowing while they are building the new bridge and shifting lanes. It is going to be an interesting project,” she said, adding that it will take eight to nine years before the new bridge is completed.
More information can be found at capecoralbridgeproject.com.
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