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Commissioners approve Margaritaville Resort use of land for pedestrian bridge

Posted at 8:25 PM, Apr 22, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-22 20:25:40-04

FORT MYERS BEACH, FL. — The Margaritaville Resort set to open in Fort Myers Beach is one step closer to moving forward with their construction plans.

On Tuesday, Lee County Commissioners agreed to allow the resort to use county land for a pedestrian bridge.

“I think that would actually be a very good idea to have a nice safe passage where people can come up, get over to the beach, and make their way back,” said Nick Navarroli, a Fort Myers Beach resident.

The overpass will connect on side of the resort to the other and allow people to cross Estero Boulevard without having to encounter traffic.

“It’s a safe alternative instead of having more crosswalks and more congestion, it’ll ease traffic I feel,” said Navarroli.

According to the agreement between Lee County Commissioners and TPI Hospitality, the company will have to cover all costs associated with the pedestrian bridge.

TPI Hospitality is the company behind the construction of the Margaritaville Resort in Fort Myers Beach.

The company posted on its Facebook page that it will not use tax-payer dollars.

People on Fort Myers Beach believe the pedestrian overpass will not only make it safer for pedestrians but will also alleviate traffic.

“Especially [during] the busy times of the season, traffic gets backed up so easy with pedestrians going back and forth,” said Craig Scott, a Fort Myers Beach resident.

The final construction details of the bridge must be approved by the Lee County Department of Transportation and will include design features that will prevent objects from falling from the bridge onto Estero Boulevard.