FPL says street-lighting project on Fort Myers Beach is 25% complete; poles to start March 3

Florida Power & Light told the Fort Myers Beach Town Council on Feb. 18 that permitting for the town’s Estero Boulevard and side‑street lighting project is complete and pole and fixture installation will begin March 3.

Ivy Davis, representing FPL, said all permitting is finished and “all the underground boring is complete” on side streets. She told the council that crews had started foundations for poles along Estero Boulevard the week of Feb. 3 and that work on Estero was about 20% complete. “Poles and lights to be installed … starting on the March 3,” Davis said. She estimated overall project progress at roughly 25% and reiterated FPL’s target to complete the full project by October.

The council and staff pressed FPL for more specific timing. Vice Mayor Hall asked whether newly installed poles and fixtures would be powered and functional as each section is finished rather than waiting for the entire corridor to be complete. Davis said that was the plan, but that sections must have energized load centers and transformers in place. “We are definitely working with power delivery to ensure that power to those areas … so that we don't have to wait,” she said.

Council members asked whether the transformers and other new electrical equipment would be visually intrusive. Davis said there are “options” such as architectural wraps or skins to reduce visual impact. She did not provide final placement plans for transformer equipment but said FPL would provide that information on request.

Council members also sought a schedule for when the first southern section of Estero Boulevard and adjacent side streets would have lights energized. Davis said she could not give a precise date at the meeting and offered to provide a timetable after consulting construction and power‑delivery teams. Town Manager Andy and staff will circulate weekly updates to the council and asked FPL to share progress reports so the town’s public information office can update residents.

Councilors asked about coordination with other utilities. The town noted Lumen (CenturyLink) has been installing underground conduit island‑wide; council members asked whether FPL’s and Lumen’s crews coordinate trenching and conduit locations. Davis said conduit installation for the lighting project is underway and that some new transformers are required where existing infrastructure lacks capacity. FPL said it will provide details about transformer locations when available.

Why it matters: The lighting work affects Estero Boulevard, the town’s primary north–south thoroughfare and a high‑traffic corridor for residents and visitors. Installation timing and transformer placement affect sight lines, pedestrian crossings and property owners along the boulevard.

Council next steps: FPL agreed to provide the council and town staff with a clearer schedule for when the first section’s poles and fixtures will be energized and to supply plans showing transformer locations. The council asked staff to distribute weekly updates and to arrange a follow‑up with Lumen to brief the town on underground utility work.

Ending: FPL kept the council to a finish target of October and committed to follow up with specific dates and transformer placement details so staff can share timely updates with property owners and businesses.