Matlache Channel runs between the western Florida mainland and Pine Island, just north of the “Miserable Mile,” the Caloosahatchee River and Fort Myers. The southern half of this passage is winding and shallow, but quite a few cruisers do enter the far deeper northern and cruise as far south as the Matlacha Bridge, with a few anchoring just south of this span.
While the note below is a bit cryptic in regards to the politics of what is going on here, it looks like the county is now managing this span, and has come to some sort of compromise opening schedule, balancing landside and waterborne interests.
ALL cruisers who plan to navigate even a portion of the Matlacha channel need to carefully record the opening times outlined below.

Cruising News:
Here is what we plan to do for the bridge opening hours. We will start this Dec. 1, 2010. Basically we will man the bridge during USCG hours and then on demand, on the hour only, in between (11 AM, noon, 1 PM and 2 PM), except we will cover the extended hours on the weekend and the day before and after, as follows:
Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday
8 AM to 10 AM ‘“ bridge will open on demand
10 AM to 3 PM ‘“ bridge will open, only on the hour, on demand
3 PM to 7 PM ‘“ bridge will open on demand
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Friday, Saturday & Monday
8 AM to 7 PM ‘“ bridge will open on demand (as it was pre-construction)
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Sunday
7 AM to 7 PM ‘“ bridge will open on demand (as it was pre-construction)
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Also, if there is some special event, with multiple vessels, and the bridge needs to open at some time other than on the hour (this is for Tuesday thru Thursday, 10 AM to 3 PM only) we just need to be provided 24 hour notice, which can be done by calling 239-533-8573. This number will be forwarded to one of us at all times, and we will cover whatever the special arrangements need to be.
Hopefully this will pacify everyone’s needs. I realize that everyone may not be totally satisfied, but I hope we are close. Just as an FYI, providing this service will cost the County approximately $50,000 over the original bid price. So everybody has had to comprise somewhat.
Frank Cushing

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of The Matlacha Bridge