Cape Coral Parkway expansion work to begin
Motorists traveling Cape Coral Parkway can expect lane closures starting next week.
The city will begin a six-lane improvement project on Cape Coral Parkway with lane closures beginning the week of Monday, May 11.
The lane closures will be on Cape Coral Parkway East between Southeast 14th Avenue/Cape Coral Street and Coronado Boulevard.
The closures will be limited to the outside lanes of Cape Coral Parkway, with at least two lanes open in each direction, so detours are required. The lane closures will take place during off-peak hours from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
City spokesperson Kaityln Mullen said the Cape Coral Parkway East six-lane improvement project will keep traffic in the South Cape moving safely and efficiently by expanding Cape Coral Parkway East to six continuous lanes between Coronado Parkway and Del Prado Boulevard.
“In addition to improved traffic flow, the roadway will be resurfaced, and traffic signals will be upgraded,” she said.
The project cost is $2.37 million and is anticipated to be completed in the fall.
The project includes resurfacing and restriping the pavement between Triton Court East and just west of Cape Coral Street/Southeast 15th Avenue; removing the existing median between Triton Court East and Manor Court and constructing a longer turn lane; installing nine new signal heads on existing signal poles and mast arms; rewiring eight signalized intersections between Chiquita Boulevard and Del Prado Boulevard; installing additional signage to improve traffic guidance; removing 33 street trees within the clear distance of the new travel lanes for safety and replacing curb and gutter and paver sidewalks along the newly expanded travel lanes.
Motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians are urged to use caution in the work zone area and follow posted signs and flagged directions. Any additional updates on the project will be provided as work progresses.
Although street parking along Cape Coral Parkway will be eliminated for the widening of the road, there will be no loss in terms of total spaces because other parking options have been added, officials said.
“While there’s been some chatter about losing parking, the CRA district is actually gaining spaces thanks to several strategic projects. With the completion of The Cove at 47th and Bimini Square parking garages — and new lots underway along Vincennes Street and Boulevard — South Cape will have more than 300 new parking spaces this year,” Mullen said.
Meanwhile, construction on the new Cape Coral Bridge, which connects Cape Coral Parkway in the city to College Parkway in south Fort Myers, is expected to begin in 2028.
The Lee Board of County Commissioners approved two measures advancing the project last August.
A new eastbound bridge will first be built south of the current eastbound bridge and will temporarily provide two lanes in each direction to maintain current travel conditions. Once traffic shifts to the new eastbound bridge, both existing bridges will be demolished. A new westbound bridge will then be built to the north of the existing bridges. Each new bridge will accommodate three lanes of traffic and include a shared-use path.
Four lanes of traffic will remain open throughout construction.
A video of the planned improvements and more information about the Cape Coral Bridge may be found at capecoralbridgeproject.com.
To reach MEGHAN BRADBURY, please email news@breezenewspapers.com