Edison Bridge

The Edison Bridge is a road bridge across the Caloosahatchee River in Fort Myers, consisting of two parallel structures. These spans carry the U.S. Highway 41 Business with six lanes total across the river.

The original structure was built in 1931, marking a significant shift from wooden to modern concrete construction in Florida's infrastructure. The present bridge was built in the 1990s to replace the earlier version.

The bridge takes its name from inventor Thomas Edison, who maintained a winter home in Fort Myers and held deep ties to the community. The naming reflects his importance to the city's identity and development.

The bridge is part of a major thoroughfare and sees heavy daily traffic. Visitors should expect busy conditions during peak hours.

The structure was designed to allow sailboats to pass underneath it, with a clearance of about 55 feet above the water. This height was an important factor in planning to avoid blocking river traffic.

Inception: February 11, 1931

Official opening: February 11, 1931

GPS coordinates: 26.65055,-81.86884

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:49