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FDOT presents final bridge landscaping plans; bids due October, construction expected in 2027
Summary
FDOT and its consultant presented simplified landscaping plans for the bridge approach on Fort Myers Beach, describing plant choices, sightline protections and a maintenance plan that will transition to TPI under a Lee County agreement; bids are due Oct. 15, 2026 and construction could begin late 2026 with establishment into 2027—28.
Representatives from the Florida Department of Transportation presented final landscaping plans for the bridge approach to the Fort Myers Beach Town Council on May 18 and answered council questions about timing, maintenance and pedestrian safety.
Darryl Richard, FDOT district landscape architect (S14), said the scope had been reduced since an earlier presentation and that planting would begin near 5th Street and continue around the hotel front and median areas. The design uses low palm species, cordgrass and sand sunflower to preserve hotel sightlines while discouraging pedestrian crosscutting across medians. Design consultant Mike Schulte (S19) showed three views illustrating low palms near hotels, cordgrass in medians and plantings intended to impede but not completely prevent determined crossings.
FDOT reported a procurement timeline with bids due Oct. 15, 2026, a contract award and construction start likely late 2026, and a one-year establishment period for the contractor. After establishment, maintenance is expected to transition to TPI under a maintenance agreement with Lee County, with the county executing a separate maintenance agreement recognizing county public ownership of the right-of-way.
Council members raised pedestrian-safety concerns, asking whether pedestrian-activated crossing be coordinated with nearby traffic signals so pedestrians are stopped until a single coordinated signal phases traffic to allow safer crossing. FDOT said staff would discuss signal coordination with engineers and weigh pedestrian-safety tradeoffs against operations. Councilors also asked why a small planting area at Main Street had been removed from the project; FDOT said that segment was removed at the county's request because maintenance arrangements were unresolved, and the removed area could be pursued as a separate right-of-way or grant-funded project in future.
What's next: FDOT will take council input back to district engineers about signal coordination; staff will circulate construction boards for public display and work with Lee County and TPI to finalize the maintenance agreement, with bids due in October 2026.
