WGI is proud to announce that the firm has been honored with an American Council of Engineering Companies of Florida (ACEC-FL) Engineering Excellence Honor Award in the Transportation category for its work on SR 865 (San Carlos Boulevard), the primary gateway to Fort Myers Beach.

This prestigious recognition celebrates WGI’s role as the consulting Engineer of Record for a project that transformed a highly constrained, congested coastal corridor into a more accessible and resilient multimodal transportation facility while preserving the character and environmental sensitivity of one of Southwest Florida’s most iconic destinations.

Presented annually, the ACEC Florida Engineering Excellence Awards recognize projects that demonstrate exceptional engineering achievement, innovation, complexity, and positive societal impact. Being selected in the Transportation category places WGI among Florida’s leading infrastructure firms and highlights the firm’s ability to deliver creative, community-centered solutions within challenging operational and environmental constraints.

Reimagining the Gateway to Fort Myers Beach

SR 865 (San Carlos Boulevard) serves as the sole access route to Fort Myers Beach, carrying thousands of residents, commuters, and seasonal visitors across the Matanzas Pass and Hurricane Bay bridges each day. Longstanding congestion, limited multimodal facilities, and pedestrian safety concerns made the corridor a critical focus for improvement.

Originally envisioned as a resurfacing and rehabilitation effort, the project evolved under WGI’s leadership into a comprehensive multimodal transformation, maximizing the functionality of existing infrastructure while minimizing environmental and structural impacts.

Key corridor improvements included:

• Repurposing existing travel lanes to enhance multimodal operations

• New bicycle lanes and barrier-separated pedestrian facilities

• Dynamic transit operations supporting seasonal demand

• Enhanced pedestrian and transit connectivity across both bridges

Together, these elements deliver a safer, more reliable, and more inclusive transportation experience for residents, visitors, and transit users traveling to and from Fort Myers Beach.

Engineering Innovation Within Existing Constraints

One of the project’s signature achievements was the development of an innovative lightweight bridge railing system for the Matanzas Pass Bridge. This high-performance solution replaced the existing concrete barrier and expanded a five-foot sidewalk into an eight-foot shared-use path without adding structural load to the bridge.

This cost-effective and replicable technique demonstrates how WGI’s creative engineering team of experts can unlock multimodal improvements on constrained bridge corridors statewide.

Additional innovations included:

• Reconfiguration of the Hurricane Bay Bridge to accommodate bicycle lanes and barrier-separated pedestrian paths without widening

• Deployment of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) to enhance traffic flow, safety monitoring, and traveler information

• A dynamic lane system allowing the outside lane approaching the beach to operate as a bus-only lane during peak tourist seasons and revert to general use during off-peak periods

These strategies maximize existing infrastructure while supporting seasonal travel patterns unique to coastal communities.

Community-Centered Design and Collaboration

Extensive public involvement was central to the project’s success. WGI worked closely with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District One, the Town of Fort Myers Beach, Lee County, and LeeTran to ensure community priorities were addressed throughout design development.

A key feature of this collaboration was the implementation of the locally developed “Seafarers Alternative” intersection design at San Carlos Boulevard and Fifth Street/Estero Boulevard. This reimagined gateway intersection improves traffic circulation, enhances transit access for beachgoers, and channels pedestrians to safer, signalized crossings, supporting both mobility and safety in a high-activity area adjacent to major destinations.

Environmental stewardship also played a critical role. The project incorporated sea turtle-friendly amber lighting to protect sensitive coastal habitats while maintaining visibility and safety for users.

Delivering Lasting Community and Economic Benefits

Beyond its technical achievements, the San Carlos Boulevard project delivers meaningful, long-term value to the Fort Myers Beach community.

By expanding pedestrian, bicycle, and transit facilities, the project improves access to local businesses, beaches, and employment center, supporting the region’s tourism-driven economy while enhancing everyday mobility for residents.

Additional benefits include:

• Reduced seasonal congestion through dynamic operations

• Safer pedestrian crossings and shared-use paths

• Improved transit reliability and access

• Lower long-term maintenance costs through durable design solutions

The project also replaced bridge joints with a polymer nosing system, reducing pavement cracking and long-term maintenance needs, further demonstrating WGI’s commitment to lifecycle value and resilience.

A Model for Future Coastal Transportation Projects

The SR 865 (San Carlos Boulevard) improvements exemplify how innovative engineering, public engagement, and multimodal design can converge to transform a constrained coastal corridor into a safer, more functional, and community-focused transportation asset.

This ACEC Florida Engineering Excellence Award underscores WGI’s leadership in delivering context-sensitive transportation solutions that balance mobility, safety, environmental stewardship, and community trust while advancing the profession’s ability to adapt existing infrastructure to modern needs.

Looking Ahead

WGI is honored to receive this recognition from ACEC Florida and proud of our Transportation professionals whose expertise, creativity, and collaboration made this project a success.

As Florida’s coastal communities continue to face growing demand, environmental challenges, and evolving mobility needs, WGI remains committed to delivering resilient, forward-thinking transportation solutions that strengthen local economies and enhance quality of life.

Contact Us

To learn more about WGI’s award-winning transportation solutions and how our multidisciplinary expertise can support your next project, connect with our team today.

Whether you’re planning multimodal corridor improvements, coastal infrastructure upgrades, or community-driven transportation solutions, WGI brings the experience and vision to deliver results that make a lasting impact.