After Ian, Helene & Milton

Fort Myers Beach Rebuild: News & Timeline

What happened, what's open, what's approved and when it's expected, with photos and sources. Last updated October 29, 2026.

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Photo: WGCU

Last updated:

Hi, we're Jamal and Kellsey, owners of Beachy Keen, a pool home in Southwest Cape Coral. Guests ask us all the time how Fort Myers Beach is doing after the hurricanes, so we pulled the Fort Myers Beach rebuild news together in one place, with links to the specific articles and official pages. Every fact carries the date it was reported, and items we could not fully confirm are marked unconfirmed.

Done In progress Approved Proposed Storm

What happened: Ian (2022), Helene and Milton (2024)

Hurricane Ian came ashore on September 28, 2022 as a Category 4. The National Hurricane Center's report puts peak storm surge at 10 to 15 feet above ground level on Fort Myers Beach and Estero Island. The highest water level in the USGS sensor network was recorded at the Fort Myers Beach Pier. On Fort Myers Beach alone, an estimated 900 structures were destroyed and 2,200 damaged, and across Lee County more than 52,000 structures were affected. Sources: NOAA National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Ian report

Two years later, with rebuilding under way, Helene (Sept. 26, 2024) flooded roads, and Milton (Oct. 9, 2024) brought surge estimated at up to about 6 feet, with 3 to 4 feet of water inside some homes. Sources: Fort Myers Beach Observer, Oct. 28, 2024

What's open now (as of October 29, 2026)

Still closed or under construction: the pier, Lynn Hall Memorial Park and its parking lot (not expected to reopen until the pier is done), and the Estero Blvd repair zone. Sources: Fort Myers Beach Observer, Aug. 27, 2026

Bridges

Matanzas Pass Bridge and San Carlos Blvd

FDOT project 433726-2 (about $13 million, started Aug. 2024) added a wider shared-use path on the bridge, a signal at Main Street, bike lanes and a seasonal bus/bike lane. FDOT's project page lists it as completed as of our October 29, 2026 check. Unconfirmed: exact completion date. Sources: FDOT SWFL Roads, project 433726-2

Big Carlos Pass Bridge

The replacement for the old drawbridge at the island's south end opened to traffic in Nov. 2025, with a ribbon cutting on June 30, 2026. It is a fixed span about 2,266 feet long with 60 feet of clearance, and pieces of the old bridge became an artificial reef. Reported costs differ (Gulfshore Business cites a $90.8 million contract; the Beach Observer says about $91 million), so treat the figure as approximate. Unconfirmed: parking (74 spaces) and restrooms under the bridge were reported as expected to start construction in fall 2026; we could not confirm they have opened. Sources: Gulfshore Business, July 1, 2026; Fort Myers Beach Observer, July 1, 2026; Gulf Coast News, June 30, 2026

Sanibel Causeway

Repairs began Oct. 5, 2022, and the causeway reopened to residents and responders on Oct. 19, 2022. Roadway repairs were substantially complete by early 2024, and FDOT shows the project completed Nov. 1, 2025. Sources: Engineering News-Record, Feb. 2, 2024; Superior Construction; FDOT SWFL Roads, project 451936-2

Times Square, the pier and Margaritaville

The new Fort Myers Beach Pier

The old pier (585 by 8 feet) was lost in Ian. The new one will be 1,000 feet long and 12 feet wide, about 2 feet higher, and built on concrete piles. In April 2026, Lee County commissioners awarded RJ Gorman Contracting an $11.7 million construction contract for a project of about $14.4 million in total, funded by FEMA, tourist development taxes and RESTORE Act grants. The federal permit was announced June 30, 2026. Demolition started around early Sept. 2026, and production pile driving began in mid-Oct. 2026, with 108 piles planned at about 3 a day. Expected completion: summer 2027 (Lee County). Gulf Coast News says "late summer 2027," and WINK reported Oct. 23, 2026 that the work is ahead of schedule. Sources: Lee County news release, Apr. 2026; Fort Myers Beach Observer, Apr. 2026; WGCU, June 30, 2026; Fort Myers Beach Observer, Aug. 27, 2026; Gulf Coast News, Oct. 16, 2026; WINK News, Oct. 23, 2026; Lee County Parks, pier project page

Times Square projects

  • Meli's Ice Cream building (former Kilwins site). Approved Dec. 15, 2025. Construction could start summer 2026, with opening anticipated early 2027. Unconfirmed: whether construction has started. Sources: Gulfshore Business, Dec. 2025; Fort Myers Beach Observer, Dec. 2025
  • Sunset Beach Resort (former Sunset Beach Tropical Grill / Playmore site). Three stories, about 41,000 square feet, at least 6 hotel rooms, a restaurant, a rooftop bar and a pool. It broke ground July 6, 2026, and switched general contractors in August. Unconfirmed: opening date. The original contractor estimated 11 to 18 months of construction. Sources: Fort Myers Beach Observer, July 8, 2026; Gulfshore Business, Aug. 21, 2026
  • A new restaurant at the old PierSide Grill site by the same developer. Plans only. No approval or timeline confirmed.
  • Wave-mitigation wall study for Times Square, under way as of Apr. 2026 (Beach Observer).

Estero Blvd and utility work

Lee County DOT's roughly $9 million hurricane repair project on Estero Blvd, from Estrellita Dr to Crescent St (contractor Wright Construction Group), began around April 2026 and is scheduled to finish in autumn 2027. The Town is also running side-street water and stormwater projects. Unconfirmed: their schedules, so check the Town's projects page. Sources: Fort Myers Beach Observer, Apr. 6, 2026; Town of Fort Myers Beach, Projects Around Town

Approved and coming

Fort Myers Beach rebuild timeline

  6. Aerial view of San Carlos Blvd and the Matanzas Pass Bridge from the FDOT project page
    Photo: FDOT SWFL Roads

    Done

    Matanzas Pass Bridge / San Carlos Blvd project starts

    FDOT begins the roughly $13 million San Carlos Blvd / Matanzas Pass Bridge improvement project. FDOT now lists it as completed; we could not confirm the exact completion date.

    Sources: FDOT SWFL Roads, project 433726-2

  8. Margaritaville Beach Resort on Fort Myers Beach reopening after Milton
    Photo: WINK News

    Done

    Margaritaville reopens after Milton

    Lah De Dah reopens Oct. 24 and the resort reopens fully Oct. 28, per WINK News.

    Sources: WINK News, Oct. 25, 2024

  16. Big Carlos Pass Bridge ribbon cutting in June 2026
    Photo: Gulf Coast News

    Done

    Big Carlos ribbon cutting; pier permit announced

    Officials cut the ribbon on the Big Carlos Pass Bridge and announce the federal permit for the new pier. Parking and restrooms under the bridge were planned, but we could not confirm they have opened.

    Sources: WGCU, June 30, 2026; Gulf Coast News, June 30, 2026

  17. Rendering of the Sunset Beach Resort in Times Square
    Photo: Gulfshore Business

    In progress

    Sunset Beach Resort breaks ground

    Groundbreaking for a 3-story resort with at least 6 hotel rooms, a restaurant and a rooftop bar at the former Sunset Beach Tropical Grill / Playmore site. In August the developer switched general contractors to Prince and Company Construction. The original contractor had estimated 11 to 18 months of construction; no confirmed opening date.

    Sources: Fort Myers Beach Observer, July 8, 2026; Gulfshore Business, Aug. 21, 2026

Visiting Fort Myers Beach from Cape Coral

The beach is a nice day trip from Southwest Cape Coral. Pack the car in the morning, grab lunch on the island (see our best restaurants in Cape Coral & Fort Myers), and be back in time for an evening swim in our heated private pool. Our Cape Coral area guide covers other beaches and parks, and our holiday events page lists what's on this season. Staying for the winter? See our snowbird rentals and monthly stays pages, or tour the Beachy Keen home.

Fort Myers Beach rebuild FAQ

Is Fort Myers Beach open?

Yes. As of October 29, 2026, the beach, many restaurants and several resorts are open, including Margaritaville Beach Resort and Mariner's Boathouse & Beach Resort. Construction is still active at the pier, Lynn Hall Memorial Park and parts of Estero Blvd, so expect detours and some closed parking.

Is Fort Myers Beach worth visiting in 2026?

For a beach day, yes: the beach was renourished in 2025 and many restaurants are serving again. Expect construction zones near Times Square and the pier, and check each business's hours before you go.

When will the new Fort Myers Beach pier open?

Lee County expects the new 1,000-foot concrete pier to be finished in summer 2027. Some reports say late summer 2027, and WINK reported in October 2026 that work was ahead of schedule. Dates can change.

Is the Fort Myers Beach pier open?

No. The old pier was lost in Hurricane Ian in 2022, and the new pier is under construction as of October 2026.

Is the Sanibel Causeway open?

Yes. It reopened to residents and responders in October 2022 and to the public after that. FDOT lists the repair project as complete as of November 1, 2025.

Is the Big Carlos Pass Bridge open?

Yes. The new fixed-span bridge opened to traffic in November 2025, with a ribbon cutting on June 30, 2026.

Is Lynn Hall Memorial Park open?

No, not as of late August 2026. The Beach Observer reported that the park and its parking lot are not expected to reopen until the pier is finished.

Is Times Square on Fort Myers Beach open?

Parts of it. Margaritaville Beach Resort and its Lah De Dah bar are open next to Times Square, while new buildings like the Sunset Beach Resort and the Meli's Ice Cream building are still planned or under construction.

How far is Fort Myers Beach from Cape Coral?

From Southwest Cape Coral, Fort Myers Beach is a drive across the Cape Coral or Midpoint bridge and down to San Carlos Island. Allow extra time in winter season and on weekends.

We'll update this page as projects move forward. Thanks for reading!
Jamal and Kellsey

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