Lee County Drivers Brace for Hancock Bridge Parkway Closures and Cape Coral's $325M Bridge Overhaul

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Lee County drivers should be aware of upcoming overnight lane closures on Hancock Bridge Parkway in Cape Coral, as crews work on a drainage improvement project. Additionally, a $325 million overhaul of the Cape Coral bridge is in the works, which will widen the bridge from four to six lanes by 2031 to address chronic traffic congestion.

Why it matters

The Hancock Bridge Parkway closures and the Cape Coral bridge project are critical infrastructure upgrades that will impact daily commutes and travel in the region. The bridge project, in particular, aims to alleviate the severe traffic jams that plague the vital link between Cape Coral and Fort Myers, especially during the busy winter season.

The details

For the Hancock Bridge Parkway project, eastbound lanes will be closed from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. on February 17 and 18, with westbound lanes also closing during those hours on February 18. This is part of a larger drainage improvement effort. As for the Cape Coral bridge, the $325 million overhaul will widen the bridge from four to six lanes, add more dedicated turn lanes, and incorporate U-turn options to give drivers more flexibility. The project is expected to be completed by 2031 and increase the bridge's capacity from 50,000 to 75,000 vehicles per day.

• Eastbound Hancock Bridge Parkway lanes will be closed from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. on February 17 and 18.
• Westbound Hancock Bridge Parkway lanes will also be closed from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. on February 18.
• The Cape Coral bridge overhaul project is expected to be completed by 2031.

What’s next

As the Project Development and Environment (PD&E) study for the Cape Coral bridge overhaul wraps up in 2026, construction on the $325 million project will begin the following year.