SR 865 (San Carlos Blvd)

SR 865 (San Carlos Boulevard) serves as the primary gateway to Fort Myers Beach, carrying thousands of residents and visitors daily across the Matanzas Pass and Hurricane Bay bridges. Originally planned as a resurfacing project, the corridor improvements evolved into a comprehensive multimodal transformation designed to improve safety, accessibility, and traffic operations while preserving the character and environmental sensitivity of the coastal community.  

As the consulting Engineer of Record, WGI led the redesign of this constrained and heavily traveled corridor, introducing innovative solutions that expanded pedestrian, bicycle, and transit access without widening the bridges or increasing structural loads. The project enhanced mobility and safety for all users while maximizing the functionality of the existing infrastructure.  

Through close coordination with the Florida Department of Transportation, the Town of Fort Myers Beach, Lee County, and LeeTran, the project incorporated community priorities and environmentally sensitive design elements. The result is a safer, more resilient transportation corridor that improves access to Fort Myers Beach while supporting the region’s tourism-driven economy.  

Project Highlights

• Multimodal corridor improvements: Repurposed travel lanes to add bicycle lanes and barrier-separated pedestrian facilities across both bridges.
• Innovative bridge solution: Lightweight railing system on Matanzas Pass Bridge expanded a 5-ft sidewalk to an 8-ft shared-use path without increasing structural load.
• Dynamic traffic operations: Seasonal bus-only lane and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) to improve traffic flow and transit reliability.
• Gateway intersection redesign: Implementation of the “Seafarers Alternative” at San Carlos Blvd and Fifth Street/Estero Blvd to enhance circulation and pedestrian safety.
• Environmental stewardship: Sea turtle-friendly lighting and durable polymer bridge joint systems to reduce long-term maintenance.