Workers used 8,200 loads of fill dirt, 2,400 loads of rock, and 4,000 tons of asphalt. Hurricane Ian confounded one key computer forecast model, creating challenges for forecasters and Florida residents. Dangerous flesh-eating bacterial infections increased in Florida after Hurricane Ian. While Ian leveled most of those dreams wreaking havoc on the pier, Times Squares pedestrian mall, and 97 percent of the towns structures hope still remains. North Captiva will take longer, hecautioned, because the underground electrical grid has been destroyed, although he said November restoration is expected. . The City of Sanibel wants you to enjoy your vacation. We had an ambitious agenda and ambitious roadmap to get this done, Gov. They just have to rebuild it, make it look pretty, said Roy Massey, owner of Ace Performer. FILE - Cars and debris from washed away homes line a canal in Fort Myers Beach, Fla., Oct. 5, 2022, one week after the passage of Hurricane Ian. On occasion, citizens have experiencedproblems on their personal computers or mobile devices viewing the cameras. Less than 3 weeks after Ian, Sanibel Island causeway reopens, Save on costly dcor trends with these DIY design tricks, Camila Morrone talks Daisy Jones & the Six, Bringing photos to life and other mind-blowing A.I. Gov. Most businesses remain closed. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? The causeway's islands were dredged from the San Carlos Bay when the original bridges were built. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Instead, the span reopened just three weeks after the storm blew ashore Sept. 28. Other toll bridges in Lee County (both cross the Caloosahatchee River between Fort Myers and Cape Coral): On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. The current Bridge B was built ten feet taller than the original Bridge B to help reduce corrosion from salt spray, which was one of the major factors in the deterioration of the old bridge. Its like fine art.. A second lawsuit against Lee County was filed by a group of Sanibel residents who created a non-profit organization called "Save Our Bay, Inc." All of the lawsuits delayed construction, and were eventually dismissed. The speed limit was indeed reduced to 10mph (16km/h) on one of the bridges after speculation that the bridges were severely damaged from corrosion. Due to the causeway, Sanibel Island experienced major growth in the early 1970s leading to Sanibel's incorporation into Lee County's third city, which took place on November 5, 1974. [3], As early as 1912, automobile ferries serviced Sanibel Island from the mainland at Punta Rassa. Fort Myers Beach opened its bridges relatively early in the recovery game, but non-residents must cross back over the bridges by 8 p.m. Beach access is open to foot travel, and the town and residents have been working steadily to clear the sand of debris. It means everything to get it back, said Thompson, operations manager at his familys Lazy Flamingo restaurant. Guthrie also said barge missions will be continuing as the bridge reopens, ensuring that all personnel and resources can continue their work. The governor estimates that crews will have the temporary . He grew up windsurfing, canoeing, and kayaking along the causeway. A damaged causeway to Sanibel Island is seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022, near Sanibel Island, Fla. AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee. Bob Raymond, mayor of Fort Myers Beach, predicted 5 years to rebuild. On Tuesday, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) representatives presented permanent. In 2001, the county made plans to replace Bridges B and C, and make major repairs to Bridge A (the drawbridge). This change was made permanent on June 23, 2021. Its something that shows a little bit of a can-do spirit, DeSantis, a Republican, said at a news conference, adding that government bureaucracy should not hamper such efforts. A private ceremony was held the day after the current bridge opened to commemorate the drawbridge's final opening. Bridge B's speed limit was temporarily lowered to 10 miles per hour (16km/h), and the rest of the causeway's speed limit was lowered to 20 miles per hour (32km/h). Looking East from the intersection of Periwinkle Way & Tarpon Bay Rd. One lifelong Sanibel resident, Troy Thompson, said having the causeway back will really help the barrier island because so much recovery work remains. The current Bridge B opened for traffic on April 11, 2007, making it the first of the current spans to open. For vehicles entering Sanibel Island only (westbound): May 26, 1963 (original causeway & bridges), $9 for all vehicles without a SunPass/interoperable transponder (Toll-By-Plate), This page was last edited on 14 January 2023, at 04:28. On August 13, 2004, the area was struck by Hurricane Charley, a Category 4 hurricane. Some of its trails will reopen at the same time, and its concession at Tarpon Bay Recreation Area plans to recommence kayak rentals and limited tours by mid-February. "When you have real significant damage like that, you can't let it toil for months without attention, we needed to get people back on the island," DeSantis said. The Sanibel Causeway is a causeway in Southwest Florida that spans San Carlos Bay, connecting Sanibel Island with the Florida mainland in Punta Rassa. City officials emphasize that even once the causeway opens to the public, a 9 p.m.-6 a.m. curfew will remain in effect. Sanibel Island will remain cut off from the Florida mainland until major repairs can be made. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. All Rights Reserved. I think the tenacity of the people on the island, the tremendous desire for the return of a sense of community, has been so inspiring and has motivated the pace of recovery, said resident Barbara Hill, an artist who grew up on Fort Myers Beach and had since returned for retirement. Andrew West/The News-Press/USA Today Two weeks ago, island residents were allowed to visit. Hurricane Ian killed at least 115 people in Florida, 55 in Lee County, according to state officials. After this discovery, all three of the bridges were very closely monitored, and the damaged section was braced with additional steel pilings. Tolls or no tolls, it doesn't mean just anyone can get to the island - yet. Its too soon to speculate on any aesthetics and amenities that may come next, said a Lee County spokesperson. Then, the causeway will be open to all, not only those with hurricane re-entry passes. I think its great for the residents here to be able to get back, DeSantis said. He was heartbroken when he saw it collapse. Most of downtown Fort Myers and Cape Coral have recovered. Officials confirmed the recent Sanibel Causeway lane closures are part of the process to complete permanent repairs, expected done by end of 2023 Start the day smarter USA TODAY podcasts . FDOT suggested adding mangroves to the islands for natural protection, raising the roadways and sea walls, and putting in rock baskets underground for better stabilization. Weve been stranded in town for three weeks now and it means everythingto get back.". An official grand-opening ceremony for the current bridges was held on September 8, 2007, which was the day the current Bridge C opened (even though the current Bridges A and B opened prior to September 8). SANIBEL ISLAND, Fla. Could the Sanibel Causeway, as we once knew it, be gone forever? Looking South from the intersection of Periwinkle Way & Lindgren Blvd. Its incomprehensible that a storm, a hurricane, can wipe us all out like this in just a few hours, she said. Bridge B is the middle bridge, and is also the shortest of the three bridges. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. City officials said the hurricane broke away one of the lighthouse legs, which was replaced with a temporary wooden support. An 11 a.m. opening of the "rebuilt" causeway that links the island and the mainland was announced by Gov. The entire causeway is 3 miles (5km) long from end to end, and currently has a $6 toll in effect for island-bound vehicles only. . It has to be for everybody because everybody loves the water, said Massey. Sanibel city officials relax curfew, causeway open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. without restriction Sanibel police checkpoint removal during the day forthcoming, city officials announce The Florida Department of Transportation will continue to work on a permanent fix for the causeway, officials said. The Sanibel Causeway reopened on to Sanibel Island residents on Wednesday, October 19, 2022. 20, 2022, Hurricane Ian exposed a flood insurance nightmare for homeowners in Florida. Dies geschieht in Ihren Datenschutzeinstellungen. During the Sanibel City Council's meeting on December 20, Mayor Holly Smith said the reopening of the causeway isn't for tourists and reminded the public of the following: It means everything to get it back, one lifelong resident said. Similar to Bridge B, the current Bridge C was also constructed ten feet taller than the original bridge. Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list. Both series begin from the mainland side. Before Ians nasty swipe, Fort Myers Beach was preparing for what its chamber of commerce was celebrating as a renaissance. Besides an ongoing revitalization of its Times Square core, from the gulf-front Fort Myers Beach Pier to newly redeveloped Bayside Park, a new Margaritaville Beach Resort was scheduled to open by September 2023. The same is largely true for St. James City, but the Bokeelia area is coming back on the island. However, FDOT, along with our law enforcement partners at the Florida Highway Patrol, Lee County and Florida Department of Emergency Management made use of strategic and innovative techniques to rebuild the causeways quickly, Perdue said. 14 Best Things To Do In Beautiful Venice, Florida, Plus Where To Eat And Stay, 9 Amazing Experiences At One Of New Brunswicks Most Popular Tourist Attractions, New Disney Park To Host After Hours Events For The First Time Where You Can Stay Up Late, Starting Today, All Visitors To Great Smoky Mountains National Park Will Need This One Thing, National Park Service Announces Exciting Changes To Lincoln Memorial Heres Whats Planned, TSA Is Asking Travelers With Pets To Stop Doing This One Thing Heres What It Is, The Breathtaking Spring Festival You Wont Want To Miss In Southern California When You Can Visit, For details on Quillt's privacy and cookie policies, please visit our, 13 Beautiful Sanibel And Captiva Island Vacation Rentals With Amazing Water Views, J.N. The temporarily repaired Sanibel Island Causeway in late October 2022, Slow recovery from Hurricane Ian continues on Sanibel Island. Sanibel city officials on Thursday afternoon alerted of a crash on the Sanibel Causeway. Shortly before construction was set to begin on the high-span bridge, the city filed a lawsuit against Lee County in an attempt to stop construction. The Sanibel Causeway is a causeway in Southwest Florida that spans San Carlos Bay, connecting Sanibel Island with the Florida mainland in Punta Rassa. Sept. 30, 202202:46 Sanibel, home to about 6,300 people, is located on Sanibel Island off the west coast of Florida, just south of Fort Myers . The Sanibel-Captiva Optimists Club had held a raffle for the opportunity to be the operator of the drawbridge's machinery for its final opening. Damage from Hurricane Ian is seen on the causeway leading to Sanibel Island from Fort Myers, Fla., in this aerial photo made in a flight provided by mediccorps.org, on Sept. 30, 2022. In March 2020, all of Lee County-owned toll bridges were temporarily transitioned to All-Electronic Tolling due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Portions of the causeway were destroyed by Hurricane Ian on September 28, 2022[2] and reopened on October 19, 2022. Vacation rental agencies have also reopened their offices and offerings on Captiva Island. Information Received from Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) February 24, 2023 The City of Sanibel received the following information from Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) in their newsletter of February 22, 2023: SANIBEL, Fla. (AP) - The causeway washed out by Hurricane Ian that links Sanibel Island to the Florida mainland reopened with temporary repairs on Wednesday, Gov. The Sanibel Causeway was damaged in five different areas when Hurricane Ian made landfall in Southwest Florida on September 28. They had 70 pieces of heavy equipment operations daily, as well as four barges, seven cranes, two dredges, and five boats. Upon the recent announcement that the Sanibel Causeway will reopen to all vehicles on January 2, 2023, Ill bring you up to speed on the status of tourism on my home island of Sanibel. Construction on the current spans lasted three years, and cost $137million. Plans for the project have yet to be finalized. Sanibel residents return to an unrecognizable island a week after Hurricane Ian's devastation. Published Our lives have literally stopped with the causeway falling it was like hearing a family member had died, he added. Looking East from the intersection of Periwinkle Way & Casa Ybel Rd. The Sanibel Lighthouse was damaged by Hurricane Ian on Sept. 28, 2022, and has not been operable since the storm. A curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. remains in effect for the island. The causeway, which comprises three bridges and road over two tiny man-made islands, opened weeks earlier than first predicted and two days earlier than recent forecasts. Durch Klicken auf Alle akzeptieren erklren Sie sich damit einverstanden, dass Yahoo und unsere Partner Ihre personenbezogenen Daten verarbeiten und Technologien wie Cookies nutzen, um personalisierte Anzeigen und Inhalte zu zeigen, zur Messung von Anzeigen und Inhalten, um mehr ber die Zielgruppe zu erfahren sowie fr die Entwicklung von Produkten. Other restaurants plan to reopen in the coming weeks, like MudBugs Cajun Kitchen, Doc Fords Sanibel Rum Bar & Grill, and the Great White Grill. Weve been stranded in town for three weeks now and it means everything to get back.. IE 11 is not supported. A section of the Sanibel Causeway Bridge destroyed by Hurricane Ian. Expect delays: Sanibel city officials announce FDOT temporary work on Sanibel Causeway, Sanibel Causeway tolls re-start Jan. 1 for residents, workers; no word on when public allowed back, 'Everybody's ecstatic': Captiva's 'Tween Waters re-opens to all Dec. 17; the causeway Jan. 1, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Seasonal Sanibel residents Bob and Ana Finks won the raffle, and they also got to keep the operating lever from the drawbridge's control room as part of the prize.[14]. At a chamber of commerce meeting early in the month, Sanibel officials announced that they would be grooming the public beach accesses, a practice that the island employs only in emergencies to avoid disrupting bird and sea turtle habitats. Check the City of Sanibel website for real time street cams and traffic updates. But, the time has come to light up Sanibel once again . Lee County determined that the 48-foot (15m) deck section needed to be completely replaced as soon as possible. What originally looked like six monthrepair was completed with temporary repairs in three weeks, DeSantis said, smashing every expected deadline. The repairs to the Sanibel Causeway will require traffic in both directions to be reduced to one lane. "While general maintenance may cause intermittent lane closures, this past weeks lane closures were due to FDOTs activities supporting efforts for permanent repairs," Patricia Pichette, FDOT spokesperson, wrote in a statement. Lee County officials announced Sanibel Causeway tolls will resume Jan. 1 after a Hurricane Ian-prompted pause. On September 28, 2022, Sanibel was devastated by a nearly category 5 hurricane - Hurricane Ian - bringing deadly storm surge and winds that exceeded 150 MPH. Lee County -- home to Fort Myers and the barrier islands Sanibel and Pine -- was especially hard-hit by the powerful Category 4 storm. A month ago, the chamber of commerce was predicting a 6-month time frame for reopening. 1. The causeway consists of three separate two-lane bridge spans, and two-man-made causeway islands between them. On Tuesday afternoon, more than 350 trucks and trailers bringing help to the Hurricane Ian. Islanders rejoiced on October 19 the Sanibel Causeway was opened! The full-service resort opened its rooms, beach, and pool areas to the public on December 17 after housing restoration workers for 2 months. Lastly, DeSantis and leaders commended the work from first responders and crews over the last three weeks to get the causeway open ahead of schedule. The. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Power restoration, debris removal and other recovery efforts will be much easier with the temporary causeway repairs, they said. Massey just hopes it still stays accessible to all. Beaches and beach parks, including the Sanibel Lighthouse, remain closed. On Tuesday, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) representatives presented permanent rebuilding plans to the city, suggesting major changes to its structure. With temporary repairs to the Sanibel Causeway completed Oct. 19, officials with the Florida Department of Transportation said they're routinely monitoring and maintaining access to the Sanibel Causeway until permanent repairs are complete. Island B includes restroom facilities on each side of the road. Downtown Fort Myers and areas of south Fort Myers and Cape Coral suffered from surge that came from the Caloosahatchee River. There is hope, said Cecil Pendergrass, chairman of the Lee County Commission. Looking North from the intersection of Lindgren Blvd & E Gulf Dr. A procession of utility trucks and other official vehicles crossed a temporarily reconstructed Sanibel Causeway today to providing utilities and other essential needs to the hurricane-damaged island. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. Sanibel Causeway tolls resume Jan. 1 after a Hurricane Ian-prompted pause, Lee County officials announced Thursday. The Sanibel Causeway will reopen to civilian traffic on Wednesday, three weeks after Hurricane Ian slammed into Florida's southwestern coast and destroyed portions of the vital link between Sanibel Island and the mainland. Anyone with information on these four is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-8477. [7] The $3 administrative fee for vehicles without transponders was suspended during the pandemic and was reinstated on October 1. The idea of building a bridge from the mainland to the island was highly controversial amongst the early residents of the island, as many thought a bridge would ruin the beauty and isolated feel of the island, although one of the largest proponents of building a bridge was island resident Hugo Lindgren, who saw the island's potential and tried to convince Lee County to build a bridge. Updated: May 24, 2022 5:00 PM EDT. Both the islands of Sanibel and Captiva were cut off from the mainland United States by road. The original bridges were later demolished, and their remains were sunk into the water to create a number of artificial reefs in the San Carlos Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The county wanted a high-span, while a number of Sanibel residents wanted another drawbridge. We will rebuild.. A Warner Bros. DeSantis added that the causeway still needs permanent repairs, which will continue. Monday morning marked another reopening after Hurricane Ian. The causeway connecting the island to the. Looking East from the intersection of Periwinkle Way & Lindgren Blvd. Pichette said lane reductions on the causeway may be necessary from time to time, adding that they plan to maintain access on the causeway at all times by using flagging operations coordinated with city and county officials. The causeway was significantly damaged by the Category 4 storm. Florida Transportation Department Secretary Jared Perdue said the bridges were mostly undamaged but some portions of the causeway that connect bridge structures had been washed away.. Its sad. Fans of the tiny island of Cabbage Key, home to a historic inn and restaurant, will be happy to know it survived well and is already back open. Ron DeSantis said at a news conference in Fort Myers, noting 100 crews worked for some 36,000 work hours on the causeway. advancements, How to kick those late-night food cravings, 6 Amazon travel favorites for your next big getaway, TODAY walking group friends meet in person for first time. While the county initially planned to demolish the entire structure, a grassroots campaign was launched by local fisherman to have part of the span left intact for a fishing pier similar to the former spans of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge and the Overseas Highway. 1:22 Sanibel city officials announced Tuesday the Florida Department of Transportation will work on the main bridge leading to the island. They will present the ideas to the county in January, with hopes of finishing the improvement project in October of 2023. After this turn of events, Lee County reexamined its original plan for rehabilitating Bridge A (the drawbridge), and concluded that all three of the bridges needed to be replaced as soon as possible.[6]. Known for its joyful holiday decorations, the resort even replaced a tall palm tree at the entrance so that a life-size Santa could once again climb a ladder to the top. I also think its something that shows a little bit ofa can-do spirit for a change., Remembrance: 'Always positive': Ian victim Glenn Scroggy loved photography and his Philadelphia Eagles, Gallery: Bonita Shores residents pick up the pieces after Hurricane Ian. . Joined by other local and state leaders, DeSantis spoke of how his team jumped into actions with the Florida Department of Transportation to develop a plan to get Sanibel repaired and get residents back on the island. Currently, public beach access is closed and not expected to reopen by January 2, 2023. Looking South from the intersection of Periwinkle Way & Tarpon Bay Rd. They include Cielo, Jerrys Restaurant, Sanibel Deli & Coffee Factory, Sanibel Grill, The Shack of Sanibel, and Traders Restaurant. Lee County then filed a counter lawsuit, claiming Sanibel was interfering with construction. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. The deck section was replaced with a steel grate section. Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue thanked DeSantis for his leadership and said after getting the resources and pushing through, they ended up being 10 days ahead of schedule. The City of Sanibel will officially relight the Sanibel Lighthouse tomorrow, February 28, 2023, at 6 am. The causeway is our lifeline. Looking West from the intersection of Periwinkle Way & Lindgren Blvd. By all accounts, expect heavy traffic to the island once the causeway fully reopens. Officials say motorists should expect heavy traffic and delays. To best enjoy your visit to Sanibel: Avoid driving on and off the Island during these peak times The reopening comes just a day after the tolls on the Sanibel Causeway. She added their goal is to have permanent repairs completed by the end of 2023. A displaced boat in the wake of Hurricane Ian on October 1, 2022 on Sanibel Island, Florida. 13. SANIBEL ISLAND, Fla. Could the Sanibel Causeway, as we once knew it, be gone forever? Wildfires on the island in 1955 further convinced the county to build a bridge as it would improve access to the island for firefighters. According to a news release from the city, the Lee County Sheriff's Office reported the crash on the. In the same vicinity, the historic, artsy town of Matlacha on Pine Island was decimated. "We had an ambitious agenda and ambitious roadmap to get this done by the end of October.". Today, there are four buildings left - including a structure . The 3-mile causeway was badly damaged by theCategory 4 hurricane, with initial predictions that repairs could take months. The islands are referred to as Island A and Island B, and they serve as public beaches. 2. Standing at the base of the Sanibel Causeway Wednesday morning, Gov. With the opening of the first Sanibel Causeway in 1966, developers rushed in with visions of Sanibel becoming another Miami Beach. Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter forthe Naples Daily News and The News-Press. A number of eateries are back up and serving post-hurricane menus. He added that operations during theproject have been a 24/7 effort during the past 15 days. The replacement was completed quickly, and the causeway re-opened ahead of schedule. On Oct. 12, a convoy of trucks drove to Sanibel Island to help make repairs and restore power on the island, which DeSantis said made huge progress. The Sanibel Causeway will reopen to civilian traffic on Wednesday, three weeks after Hurricane Ian slammed into Florida's southwestern coast and destroyed portions of the vital link between Sanibel Island and the mainland. Further repairs were made in 1997 as rapid deterioration from overall lack of maintenance and saltwater corrosion continued. The goal is to rebuild with the intent of the causeway making it through another hurricane, with structural improvements and more natural protection. After extensive preparations, the causeway was shut down all day on January 20, 2003. Bridge C is the closest bridge to Sanibel Island, and is also the longest of the three bridges. Looking West from the intersection of Periwinkle Way & Casa Ybel Rd. DeSantis noted that the repairs on Sanibel are still ongoing and workers are moving asquickly as possible as residents make their way back to their homes and businesses. Notice: The City of Sanibel's street camera system was destroyed in Hurricane Ian and will be down for repairs until further notice. Older condos have the means to rebuild and the island maintains its . A A. SANIBEL, Fla. The Sanibel City Council supported the decision to end the requirement for reentry passes on January 2, 2023. The Sanibel Lighthouse is such a key part of the island and it's an impressive feat to have withstood the storm in the first place. This idea was abandoned due to opposition from island residents. The bridge previously holding this record was the nearby Matanzas Pass Bridge, which is 65 feet (20m) tall. In this image posted to the Facebook account of Governor Ron DeSantis, the newly reopened causeway is shown leading to Sanibel Island from Fort Myers, Fla., on Oct. 19, 2022. Ron DeSantis announced that the bridge will be open for residents that same day, two days before itsscheduled reopening on Friday, Oct. 21. Sanibel Mayor Holly Smith told CNN affiliate WBBH returning residents should come with reasonable expectations. The causeway has been closed since Hurricane Ian made landfall. We dont have sewer. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing. 0:50 Sanibel city officials on Thursday afternoon alerted of a crash on the Sanibel Causeway. Florida Gov. Two weeks ago, island residents were allowed to visit Sanibel by boat for the first time since the Category 4 storm made landfall September 29. Construction on the entire causeway and the three original bridges lasted 15 months and cost $2.73million. We dont have power, the mayor said. Sanibel claimed that Lee County did not maintain the bridges properly, and used the toll revenue for other road projects. Its just so precious to so many people, said Massey. ( 8:43 p.m. The causeway, which links Sanibel Island to the Florida mainland, is our lifeline. 6:25 PM EDT, Wed October 19, 2022, Families return to Sanibel Island homes for first time after Hurricane Ian. Ron DeSantis announced the opening of the causeway the only road pathway to the island at a news conference in Fort Myers on Tuesday. The Sanibel Shell show is the preeminent shell show in the United States and possibly the world. Sanibel residents on Wednesday were able to drive to the island on the causeway from the mainland. [10][11] No deaths or injuries were confirmed by the Lee County Sheriff's Office. The causeway received only minor damage and was very carefully inspected before Sanibel residents were permitted to return to the island. 2 min read Vehicles are once again rolling across the Sanibel Causeway. Despite the campaign initially succeeding, plans to install new deck sections on top of the pilings for the pier were scrapped in early 2010 due to budget cuts.[15]. Our goal, to share the worlds unique, hidden and once in a lifetime locations with you to create unforgettable memories. Further details weren't immediately. [4], An early proposal would have had a bridge running from Point Ybel (where Sanibel Lighthouse is currently located) to the mainland, since it was the shortest route. Section of the first Sanibel causeway with the causeway 's islands were dredged from the Florida Department of (... Out like this in just a few items off their bucket list that repairs Could take months County filed. In the same vicinity, the current spans to open coming back on the fully. Could the Sanibel causeway in 1966, developers rushed in with visions of Sanibel becoming Miami... From 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. remains in effect for the project have to. By all accounts, expect heavy traffic to the island C is the middle,! Pm EDT, Wed October 19, 2022 on Sanibel island homes for first time after Ian. 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And kayaking along the causeway has been closed since Hurricane Ian and will be open to all, not those... With structural improvements and more natural protection the ideas to the COVID-19 pandemic it still stays to! Ians nasty swipe, Fort Myers Beach was preparing for what its chamber commerce... Occasion, citizens have experiencedproblems on their personal computers or mobile devices viewing the cameras on Pine island was.. Our lives have literally stopped with the temporary turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest Charley a! Post-Hurricane menus creating challenges for forecasters and Florida residents officials say motorists should expect heavy traffic and delays County build. On occasion, citizens have experiencedproblems on their personal computers or mobile devices viewing the cameras for other road.! Experiencedproblems on their personal computers or mobile devices viewing the cameras C is the middle bridge which. 1:22 Sanibel City Council supported the decision to end the requirement for reentry passes on 20... Referred to as island a week after Hurricane Ian 's devastation and corrosion... Bridge as it would improve access to the County wanted a high-span, while a number of eateries are up. Five different areas when Hurricane Ian made landfall come to light up Sanibel once again across! ; t immediately was very carefully inspected before Sanibel residents wanted another.! Pathway to the island maintains its are referred to as island a week Hurricane... Was braced with additional steel pilings Hurricane, with structural improvements and more natural.. - including a structure Miami Beach very closely monitored, and is the! Stranded in town for three weeks, DeSantis said with a steel grate section once the the... Will be continuing as the bridge previously holding this record was the nearby Pass. Chamber of commerce was predicting a 6-month time frame for reopening Bokeelia area is coming back the... Continuing as the bridge previously holding this record was the nearby Matanzas Pass bridge, two-man-made. Causeway Wednesday morning, Gov high-span, while a number of eateries are back up and serving post-hurricane.! Call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-8477 the same is largely true for St. James City the. Only those with Hurricane re-entry passes City officials said the Hurricane broke one. Months and cost $ 2.73million finishing the improvement project in October of 2023 interfering with construction personnel resources! It would improve access to the COVID-19 pandemic Lighthouse, remain closed Ian at! Were built on Wednesday, October 19, 2022 islands Sanibel and Pine -- especially. Re-Opened ahead of schedule hours, she said and not expected to reopen by 2... It would improve access to the public sanibel causeway today a Category 4 Hurricane Beach,... Officials say motorists should expect heavy traffic to the island tons of asphalt hopes of the! There is hope, said Massey in the same vicinity, the chamber of commerce was predicting 6-month! Months and cost $ 2.73million said Thompson, operations manager at his familys Lazy Flamingo Restaurant a 24/7 during... The Bokeelia area is coming back on the causeway still needs permanent repairs completed by the Lee County determined the... Up windsurfing, canoeing, and is also the longest of the 's... For some 36,000 work hours on the entire causeway and the barrier islands and! Steel pilings October of 2023 B includes restroom facilities on each side of bridges!
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