SR 865 (San Carlos Boulevard) serves as a primary gateway to Fort Myers Beach, carrying residents, commuters, and visitors across the Matanzas Pass and Hurricane Bay bridges.
Before these improvements, the corridor regularly struggled with congestion and lacked safe, accessible options for pedestrians and cyclists. With little room to expand, the original plan for resurfacing and rehabilitation quickly evolved; WGI and its partners saw an opportunity to reimagine how the existing infrastructure could serve the community.
Making the Most of Limited Space
The existing bridges needed to remain a reliable connection to Fort Myers Beach, but widening them wasn’t the best solution.
On the Matanzas Pass Bridge, pedestrians had a sidewalk only about five feet wide. Hurricane Bay Bridge also had limited space for bicycle and pedestrian improvements. Seasonal traffic added another challenge, with demand increasing significantly during Southwest Florida’s busiest months.
The team got creative with the space they had, exploring every possibility to help people move safely and efficiently even during the busiest months, when it matters most.
More Ways to Move
A newly designed lightweight railing system transformed the Matanzas Pass Bridge’s narrow five-foot sidewalk into a spacious eight-foot shared-use path, all without adding extra weight to the bridge.
Hurricane Bay Bridge was reconfigured to include bicycle lanes and barrier-separated pedestrian paths without widening the structure.
Traffic operations were improved as well. During peak tourist periods, the outside lane approaching the beach can operate as a bus-only lane. During off-peak periods, it can return to general traffic. The team also added Intelligent Transportation Systems to improve monitoring, traveler information, and traffic flow.
At San Carlos Boulevard and Fifth Street/Estero Boulevard, the locally developed “Seafarers Alternative” improved circulation, transit access, and signalized pedestrian crossings.
The team also installed sea turtle-friendly amber lighting to protect wildlife while keeping the area well lit, and upgraded bridge-joint materials to reduce cracking and maintenance needs.
A Visible Difference
Today, it’s easy to spot the difference: families walk and bike across the bridges with more room and confidence, transit riders enjoy smoother service during peak season, and drivers experience less frustration in traffic.
The community noticed, too. One local resident wrote to WGI, “Getting onto Estero Island is so much easier and safer now; I hope your team gets the recognition you deserve!”
Turns out, they were right.
WGI’s work on SR 865 earned the 2026 ACEC Florida Engineering Excellence Honor Award in the Transportation category.
The recognition is a proud moment for the team, and the improvements are visible every day to everyone traveling to and from Fort Myers Beach.
This project is just one example of our ongoing commitment to making the Fort Myers Beach community safer, more connected, and ready for the future.
See the Impact WGI Can Make
The SR 865 improvements show what thoughtful engineering can accomplish within a challenging, heavily traveled corridor. Safer connections, better mobility, and smarter use of existing infrastructure are making a noticeable difference for the people who travel to and from Fort Myers Beach every day.
Learn more about how WGI approaches transportation projects with real community impact and connect with our team today.
