Big Carlos Bridge Project

Recently, I went to a local library where there was this large information display explaining a proposed bridge reconstruction project in my county. Below are the pictures from the take home brochure or information packet and the letter I wrote to the company responsible for the project.

To give you some background, my home county has A LOT of wild nature, swamps and bays are really common, half the time you feel like you're in a fairly large city while the other half of the time you feel like you belong in Shrek's swamp. There is a lot of wild, untamed, nature right next door to large commercial properties which is really fun. One of these areas is in south side of Fort Myers Beach - you have a lot of hotels, condos, etc. surrounded by beaches and nature preserves in every direction, with a small drawbridge cutting through the preserves on the way to the next city. This bridge is
pretty old and in need of a lot of work. 

When you look at the pictures you might be able to tell what is going on a little bit, but in case it's not very clear I'll do a quick summary of the project called "Big Carlos Bridge Project". Since this bridge is old and needing repair the county hired a firm to evaluate potential solutions and redesigns of the Big Carlos Bridge. The company has come up with 5 ideas and they and the county are asking for feedback from local citizens. The 5 solutions are as follows:

1. Rehabilitate the Bridge/Not build a new bridge 
2. Build a new short drawbridge that moved closer to the bay
3. Build a new short drawbridge that moved closer to the gulf
4. Build a new tall fixed bridge (no drawbridge) that moved closer to the bay
5. Build a new tall fixed bridge (no drawbridge) that moved closer to the gulf

Each of these options have different price tags, traffic and noise impacts, natural habitat impacts, etc. and this information is summarized in the pictures (if you can read them). So there really are pros and cons to each different project proposal. After reading through the information provided I decided that I wanted my voice and opinion to be heard on this topic. I am one of those people who is deeply concerned about the reckless endangerment of wildlife habitats by human activities and want to try and make a difference where my resources allow. 

I immediately opened my phone's e-mail app and started typing, but to be honest, my e-mail felt a lot longer and more detailed than it does when it's pasted into a blog article (lol) but I guess that's what happens when e-mail from a phone. The company has already acknowledged my letter and has included my opinions in their project records.

If you live in Lee County, Florida I hope you will read over the information provided by The Big Carlos Bridge Project and send your feedback on the issue as well. Also, please share it to your friends and neighbors so that the county can receive the most useful feedback possible.

Keep reading past the pictures to see my actual letter to the Big Carlos Bridge Project.

Hello,

Looking over the various proposals for the Big Carlos Bridge on display at Lakes Regional Library I had a few thoughts to share.

One of my biggest concerns with any construction project is how well will Lee County’s display of wild natural beauty be preserved. Our county is well known world wide as a place to easily find relatively uncontrolled nature and that is perhaps Lee County’s greatest calling card. The ability to cross a bridge and still feel like you’re in the middle of a swamp (due to the proximity of marshland and trees to each end of the bridge) is one of the most enjoyable aspects of touring South West Florida. The Big Carlos Bridge is one of those sites that promotes the feeling of being in the middle of raw nature and I would very much like to see that natural landscape preserved in the new project. 

Because of this desire to preserve the raw landscape I would not appreciate or enjoy the two proposed High-Level Fixed Bridge options. Both of these options affect the natural feel of the community as you enter or leave Fort Myers Beach from the south. 

As for the proposed Low-Level New Drawbridge proposals, I am concerned about the high costs - primarily from Lifecycle Maintenance. 

I would also reject Drawbridge Alternative 2 (Bayside) for its potential impacts against aquatic preserves. Even though the impact is estimated to be low, I believe aquatic life in this region is struggling enough as it is and that we should do everything in our power to avoid taking even more away from their survival. My aspiration to preserve the natural look of the area also plays a role in this choice.

My ultimate choice and feedback would be to approve the most environmentally friendly option, Rehabilitation Alternative (No Build), with the cheapest cost to taxpayers and businesses and with the lowest impact to local traffic. However, if the damage to the existing bridge proves to be too extensive I would vote the Low-Level Drawbridge Alternative 1 (Gulf Side) as my second choice. My only request in considering Alternative 1 would be to replenish native flora at each end of the new bridge in order to maintain SWFL’s image of a raw natural landscape.

Thank you for your efforts.
J. Samuel Edwards