Ortiz Avenue Widening to Finish by Year's End
The $31 million county project between MLK Jr. Boulevard and Colonial Boulevard in Fort Myers has been under construction for two and a half years.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Home Renovation
Fort Myers is widening Ortiz Avenue between Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Colonial Boulevard, a project that has been under construction for two and a half years. Southbound drivers have been shifted to a newly constructed lane, and the east-side sidewalk is open.
Why it matters
The widening aims to ease traffic congestion caused by growth in the area and to improve pedestrian safety along the corridor. Delays from weather, underground utility issues, and new water and sewer installation for the future Edison Avenue extension pushed back the original spring completion target.
The county spent about $31 million on the project, and delays raised costs by roughly $548,000. The source does not confirm whether that figure will change before the work is finished.
The players
Lee County
Lee County is the Florida county that funded the roughly $31 million Ortiz Avenue project.
City of Fort Myers
The City of Fort Myers is the municipal government overseeing the Ortiz Avenue corridor and its growth-driven traffic needs.
The details
A median now marks where crews are making final touches on the project, and crews are installing new water and sewer systems for the future Edison Avenue extension. Drivers should expect temporary single-lane closures on driveways while crews place the final asphalt layer.
Timeline
Spring 2026: original projected completion date for the project, which was missed.
Over the weekend before November 12, 2026: southbound drivers were shifted to the newly constructed lane.
End of 2026: projected completion of the Ortiz Avenue widening.
Roadmap
The Ortiz Avenue widening extends Lee County's roadway capacity expansion program into the Fort Myers urban core, where population growth has outpaced older road capacity. It follows the county's pattern of adding lanes on arterials that serve both through traffic and new development.
Drivers on Ortiz Avenue should plan for temporary single-lane closures on driveways while the final asphalt layer goes down. The new lanes and sidewalk are already partly open, which can ease daily commutes once the project is complete.
The takeaway
Residents who travel Ortiz Avenue can expect the widening to ease congestion by year's end, so it helps to build in extra time for lane shifts until the final asphalt is placed.
What happens next
Crews are expected to finish the Ortiz Avenue widening by the end of 2026, with temporary single-lane driveway closures during final asphalt placement.
Further reading
Explore more local projects in our Home Renovation section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WBBH.
