HENDRY COUNTY — The following column is the Road Watch report for Hendry County for the week beginning Sunday, Nov. 1, provided by the Florida Department of Transportation.

S.R. 29 (Bridge Street) LaBelle Drawbridge over the Caloosahatchee River: The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) continues to monitor the LaBelle Drawbridge in Hendry County following extensive structural repairs and load testing.

• UPDATED WEIGHT RESTRICTION: The LaBelle Drawbridge is subject to posted weight limits based on vehicle size, configuration, and axle layout, with a base restriction of 26 tons for single-unit trucks and higher allowable limits for certain larger vehicle combinations.
• Commercial vehicle operators must follow the posted weight-limit signage and comply with the restriction applicable to their vehicle configuration.
• Vehicles exceeding the applicable posted weight limit must use the designated regional detour via R. 78, U.S. 27, and S.R. 80.
• Motorists should expect possible delays, follow posted weight-limit and detour signage, and consider alternate routes when possible.

 S.R. 80 at Ben Moore Drive and from Park Drive to Huggetts Road: Permit construction project: Crews will modify an existing driveway on the north side of S.R. 80 near Ben Moore Drive and widen the roadway east of the intersection to construct a dedicated westbound right-turn lane.

• Work will also include closed-drainage system modifications associated with the new right-turn lane. Existing traffic signals will be modified to accommodate the roadway improvements.
• Work is scheduled from Wednesday, November 4, through Friday, November 20, 2026.
• Motorists should use caution, remain alert for changing traffic conditions, and watch for workers and equipment in the work zone.

U.S. 27 (S.R. 25/S.R. 80) from Industrial Canal to West Sagamore Avenue: Construction project: Crews will begin roadway improvements along U.S. 27 in Hendry County in October 2026. The project includes milling and resurfacing, roadway and drainage improvements, ADA improvements, signalization upgrades, and new signage and pavement markings.

• Crews are beginning sidewalk reconstruction at side streets and installing underground conduit for upcoming signalization improvements.
• Sidewalk reconstruction will continue along the south side of U.S. 27 at various side streets and will progress eastward as work advances.
• Motorists and pedestrians should expect temporary side street closures and sidewalk detours to accommodate sidewalk construction and directional boring associated with underground conduit installation.
• Daytime work will continue throughout the project limits.
• Tentative nighttime operations are anticipated during the first week of November.
• Motorists should use caution, remain alert, and watch for workers and equipment throughout the construction zone.

Estimated completion is in summer 2027.

As a reminder, travelers can visit www.FL511.com or dial “511” from their phone to learn about traffic conditions on major roadways across the state.