H&H was the lead engineering firm responsible for designing structures, roadway, drainage, and temporary traffic control for improvements to the US 41 over the Caloosahatchee River Bridge. The bridge opened partially in mid-August 2024, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and full opening on January 17, 2025.
This design-build project enhances pedestrian safety by modifying the existing bridge to include an eight-foot sidewalk on the west side extending from First Street to North Shore Park. The new sidewalk starts at First Street, follows the loop ramp up to the bridge, and connects to North Shore Park via the roadside front slope without widening the bridge.
The bridge’s updated design features an eight-foot sidewalk with a pedestrian/bicycle railing on the west side and a vertical face retrofit barrier to separate the sidewalk from southbound traffic. Southbound travel lanes include inside and outside shoulders, an 11-foot outside lane, and a 10-foot inside lane. Northbound lanes mirror this configuration with a new upgraded guardrail barrier. A two-foot-wide median barrier separates northbound and southbound lanes.
To integrate the new section, existing median railings and safety curbs were removed for the new median, and part of the concrete deck was replaced to close the gap between the bridge’s superstructures. New cross frames were installed in the middle bay between existing exterior girders.
Upgrades included replacing multi-post and cantilever sign structures with new pavement shields and messages. Light poles were added to the new median, and existing lighting was removed.
Initially, the plan was to keep one lane open in each direction using single-lane closures and overnight detours. However, a site evaluation led to a decision to complete the work in a 10-week detour to allow for safer and more efficient completion. The new cross frames, relocated median, and guardrail retrofit were installed during this closure. Work on the eight-foot sidewalk will proceed with a single southbound lane closure.
