Tolling Bridges Sparks Debate Among Council Members

by Richard Luthmann

At a recent town council management and planning session, Fort Myers Beach Councilmember Karen Woodson shook things up with a ground-breaking proposal. She suggested that those entering Fort Myers Beach might soon need to pay a toll akin to the Sanibel system to cross the town’s bridges. This idea is aimed at addressing the town’s recurring seasonal traffic woes.  

The Matanzas Pass Bridge, leading into Fort Myers Beach and owned by the state, along with the Lee County-owned Big Carlos Pass Bridge, currently under construction, could both potentially see toll booths. Woodson’s proposition includes a potential discount for town residents, either minimal monthly payments or no fee.

However, this concept met with opposition from other council members. Councilmember Bill Veach highlighted potential conflicts with the state constitution, noting that it prohibits different toll rates for different groups. He added that current discounts on Sanibel tolls are state-sanctioned and apply uniformly to all tolls.

Veach also pointed out that Woodson’s proposal would effectively mean that every town resident would pay a toll each time they enter or exit the town. Implementing such tolls would require approval from both county and state authorities, as the town does not own the bridges.

Post-meeting, Fort Myers Beach Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt firmly opposed any tolls for entering or exiting the town. Similarly, Councilmember John King expressed willingness to consider proposals but could not support a toll for the bridges now.

Mayor Dan Allers has not yet commented on Woodson’s proposal.

This discussion comes against the backdrop of a 2005 referendum where 72% of Fort Myers Beach voters opposed the initiation of bridge tolls without a public vote. This requirement for a referendum remains a significant hurdle for future toll proposals.