Executive Summary
- Eastbound right-turn lanes on Pondella Road onto S.R. 739 close Dec. 1.
- Detour route established via River Road and Cabana Avenue.
- Project includes intersection widening and drainage installation.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has announced that the eastbound right-turn lanes on Pondella Road onto southbound S.R. 739 (North Tamiami Trail) will close beginning December 1 at approximately 8 a.m. According to agency officials, the closure is required to facilitate significant reconstruction efforts at the North Fort Myers intersection.
FDOT representatives stated that the project scope involves widening the southwest quadrant of the intersection and installing new drainage structures. The detour is expected to remain in place through the month of December, though officials noted that the timeline remains subject to change pending weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances.
Motorists traveling eastbound on Pondella Road will be directed to utilize a designated detour route. Drivers must turn right onto River Road and then left onto Cabana Avenue to access southbound S.R. 739. Pedestrians attempting to cross at the intersection are advised to follow posted signage to navigate the construction zone safely.
Infrastructure Impact
This scheduled closure facilitates long-term improvements in traffic flow and drainage capacity in the North Fort Myers area. While the month-long detour requires traffic diversion onto secondary routes like River Road and Cabana Avenue, the widening of the intersection is intended to alleviate future bottlenecks on the heavily traveled corridor. Drivers are advised to plan for additional travel time during peak hours while crews complete the essential infrastructure upgrades.
