As part of continued efforts to prepare for a Lee County population of 1 million, the Lee Board of County Commissioners voted Tuesday to award a contract for the design of the replacement of the westbound span of the Cape Coral Bridge and widening of the eastbound span.

The replacement of the Cape Coral Bridge westbound span and widening of the eastbound span is a top-tier transportation project for commissioners. The Board has discussed the project at workshops, planning sessions and board meetings.

The westbound span of the Cape Coral Bridge opened to traffic in 1964, when it served traffic in both directions as the only bridge to Cape Coral. In 1989, the eastbound span was added just south of the original bridge, creating a four-lane roadway.

Motorists made nearly 50,000 annual average daily trips over the bridge in 2021.

Construction on the span is planned to begin in 2026. Total project costs are estimated at $185 million.