Do those entering Fort Myers Beach need to start paying for the privilege of crossing over the bridges into Fort Myers Beach. Fort Myers Beach Councilmember Karen Woodson suggested that exact concept as part of a proposal at a management and planning session of the town council.
Woodson dropped the earthquake of a proposal to the council Thursday during a discussion on how to alleviate the town’s past seasonal traffic issues.
Woodson called for “working with Lee County and getting our bridges to be tolled like Sanibel.”
The entrance to Fort Myers Beach over the Matanzas Pass Bridge along San Carlos Boulevard is owned by the state while the southern entrance at Big Carlos Pass Bridge (currently undergoing construction) is owned by Lee County.
Woodson suggested giving a discount for town residents over the bridges. “Maybe you have a resident pass and you pay minimally per month or you pay nothing,” Woodson said.
The Big Carlos Pass Bridge is the southern entrance to Fort Myers Beach. Photo by Nathan Mayberg
Fort Myers Beach Councilmember Bill Veach said that would be against the state constitution “to have a toll for some people and not for others.”
Woodson said that “I’m not saying that they don’t get a toll at all but it could be a different pricing.”
Veach said the discount for Sanibel toll users was through the state. “There is a discount if you have so much but that is from the state. That is for every toll,” he said.
Veach said Woodson’s proposal would mean that “everybody who lives here is going to pay a toll every time they come on and off.”
Woodson’s proposal would require county and state approval due to the bridges not being owned by the town. Veach said he didn’t believe the town approve the tolls without the approvals of the county and state.
Fort Myers Beach Councilmember Karen Woodson said at a mangement and planning session that the town should work with Lee County to institute tolls on the bridges that lead onto the island. Fort Myers Beach Observer file photo
Reached after the meeting, Fort Myers Beach Vice Mayor Jim Atterholt said “I am opposed to any tolls to enter or exit Fort Myers Beach.”
Councilmember John King said that “I’m always willing to listen to proposals, but at this time I could not support a toll for the bridges.”
Fort Myers Beach Mayor Dan Allers did not respond to a message requesting comment on Woodson’s proposal.
In 2005, Town of Fort Myers Beach voters approved in a referendum by a vote of 72% to 28% to require a referendum by voters on any initiation of bridge tolls on Fort Myers Beach before the town council could act to institute them.
Fort Myers Beach Observer Editor Nathan Mayberg can be reached by email at NMayberg@breezenewspapers.com.
Source : Fort Myers Beach
