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Town hires MOTS‑certified traffic control crews and boosts enforcement as spring season arrives
Summary
The town is starting a contracted traffic‑control deployment and expanded enforcement to manage seasonal visitor congestion at the bridge and Times Square intersections, town staff told the council Feb. 18.
Fort Myers Beach officials told the council on Feb. 18 they are deploying additional traffic‑control personnel and working with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Highway Patrol to manage heavy visitor traffic as the spring season intensifies.
Tom (public safety/operations) said the town contracted a MOTS‑certified firm that handles traffic control for highway construction to place trained traffic control officers (TCOs) at critical locations. The initial deployment begins at 2 p.m. with the contractor’s first three officers; Tom said the town will train crews on specific local requirements and provide radios and gear. The officers are to be positioned at (1) the Fifth and Crescent intersection to help vehicles coming off the bridge, and (2) Old San Carlos and North Estero (the Times Square three‑way) to manage pedestrian and vehicle flows.
Tom emphasized that active control—officers actively moving traffic in intersections and restricting unsafe pedestrian crossings—is more effective than passive posts. “You have to be in the intersection moving people,” he said, explaining that TCOs should not simply stand to the side but must direct flows to prevent blockages and unsafe crossings.
The council directed staff to push for earlier or expanded hours if the contractor’s schedule misses morning or midday congestion. Town Manager Andy said the town is also asking FDOT to extend overnight or holiday hours for adjacent construction work where feasible, and staff continues to press FDOT for timely completion of the roundabout and crosswalk work.
Public safety officials are also coordinating with the sheriff’s office and FHP for extra holiday and seasonal patrols, crowd and DUI enforcement, and ambulance access. Tom asked residents and visitors to use crosswalks, avoid jaywalking, stay off phones while walking, and be patient in traffic; he also encouraged ride‑share staging in designated areas to reduce roadside congestion.
Why it matters: Heavy seasonal visitor volumes have created frequent blockages at the bridge and Times Square area; the town’s actions aim to reduce pedestrian–vehicle conflicts, keep traffic moving, and protect emergency‑vehicle access.
Ending: The town will train incoming TCOs, brief LCSO on strategic deployment and work to have more cameras and a unified monitoring system for key intersections as a next step.
