Lee County approved a $4,655,000 change order to the Cape Coral Bridge design contract to apply FDOT DRIVE principles; staff said the redesign could reduce future construction costs by more than $40 million while keeping a January 2028 letting target.

Lee County officials this morning celebrated the ribbon-cutting for the new Big Carlos Pass Bridge and the nearby artificial reef made from repurposed bridge materials; officials said the $90 million bridge improves local connectivity and the reef — funded by a private donation — will create habitat for recreational and commercial fishery species.