Estero Boulevard will be seeing the first of many upcoming construction projects at the end of July, as construction starts to replaces the waterlines beneath Fort Myers Beach main thoroughfare between July 27th and 31st. The reFRESH Waterlines Project will begin by installing the new water mains on the beach side of the Boulevard over the month of August. This construction will occur from Times Square to the Red Coconut RV Park.

The next leg of the project is projected to begin in September, with the construction of waterlines between Times Square and Crescent Street. After these lines are tested, individual properties will be connected to the new water system.

During construction, residents and visitors will need to be aware of both planned and emergency water shut-offs. While the participating governments and businesses hope to keep these events minimized, everyone in the affected area will need to watch for flyers announcing the planned shut-offs. Keeping bottled water on hand is suggested for any unplanned disruption to the water service on the island.

Active construction will take place during weekdays from 7 am to 7pm, with lane closures on the Boulevard expected. Weekend and nighttime construction will take place as deemed necessary. People commuting to and from Fort Myers Beach should be prepared for Traffic pattern changes and disruptions throughout the next few months.

Current planned changed to traffic include lane closures as lane stripes are removed and replaced on the Boulevard. This will take place during the evenings of July 27th and 28th, from 6 pm to 6 am. Wednesday, July 29th, closures are to be expected as asphalt is milled and temporary drainage is constructed. This will take place during the day, from 7 am to 7 pm.

From August 3rd onward, two work zones will be set up as two crews work on the Boulevard simultaneously to install water mains. The first crew will be working between Crescent Street and Carolina Avenue, and the other will be located between Pearl Street and Gulf Beach Road. The southbound lane of the Boulevard will be closed off during this time, and delays are expected as all traffic is routed into the northbound lane, with flaggers alternating and managing the flow of vehicles.

Following the completion of this project, the Estero Boulevard Improvements Project will begin sometime in the fall of this year.