Approximately $14.4 billion is spent yearly to repair, rehabilitate or replace bridges in America. However, that yearly amount has increased and will continue to increase because the backlog of critically needed bridge repairs is estimated to be $125 billion. With about 50,000 bridges with very significant issues awaiting attention, an estimated 40% of them can be rehabilitated, but at least 35% will require a complete replacement. Many of the bridges in America were constructed about the same time during the bridge-building boom of the 1950s. That correlated with the country’s expansion of suburbanization and development of the Interstate Highway System.  Unfortunately, those bridges are now reaching the end of their service life.

Obvious regional patterns relate to the immediate need for bridge repairs and replacements. Many bridges located in Iowa and West Virginia have immediate needs. Bridge repairs are also slated soon for Pennsylvania and Louisiana, but major bridge repairs are needed nationwide.

Officials in Lee County, Florida, are developing plans to replace the Cape Coral Bridge, which crosses over the Caloosahatchee River. The Board of Commissioners has decided to proceed with the several phases outlined in a project plan. One component includes the construction of two new parallel bridges, each with three lanes. A new U-turn under the two new bridges will be developed, along with a pedestrian bridge over the roadway. The projected cost for this effort is $301 million.

However, another element of the project will alter the roadway leading over the existing bridge. Cape Coral Parkway will be expanded to six lanes adjacent to the river and widened. A dividing barrier will be installed between traffic traveling in different directions, and two intersections near the bridge will be improved.