Utilities Department 24hr Emergency Hotline: Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing. After this discovery, all three of the bridges were very closely monitored, and the damaged section was braced with additional steel pilings. 1. Until Wednesday, only a one-time caravan of hundreds of utility trucks had been allowed over the causeway. Sanibel Island residents on Wednesday were crossing the causeway for the first time since Hurricane Ian damaged the only road onto the popular Gulf Coast destination. Sanibel Island is home to about 6,300 people. By the early 1990s, the original bridges began showing signs of rapid deterioration due to the bay's saltwater, prompting the county to make major repairs. A DeSantis administration official with knowledge of the project told ABC News that the governor made it a personal priority to reopen the causeway as soon as possible and pushed the Florida Department of Transportation to expedite repairs to keep the project ahead of schedule. Home News Local Lee County Major changes possible for Sanibel Causeway in proposed plan. 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. Instead, the span reopened just three weeks after the storm blew ashore Sept. 28. 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. Published Well also explore Sanibels sister island, Captiva, and nearby Fort Myers Beach, which suffered more devastation than Sanibel over $90 million in total damages by some estimates. Construction on the entire causeway and the three original bridges lasted 15 months and cost $2.73million. 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 announced the opening of the causeway the only road pathway to the island at a news conference in Fort Myers on Tuesday. While Bailey Road was then selected as the terminus of the bridge on the island, Hugo Lindgren granted the county right-of-way through his property on the bay, which the county accepted.[4]. A number of eateries are back up and serving post-hurricane menus. Ron DeSantis announced. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern. The causeway consists of three separate two-lane bridge spans, and two-man-made causeway islands between them. Discovery Company. But De Santis said the current repairs are a temporary fix. In the same vicinity, the historic, artsy town of Matlacha on Pine Island was decimated. Currently, public beach access is closed and not expected to reopen by January 2, 2023. 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 On occasion, citizens have experiencedproblems on their personal computers or mobile devices viewing the cameras. Officials say motorists should expect heavy traffic and delays. 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). 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. Since Hurricane Ian hit with a vengeance, recovery on Sanibel Island, Florida, has progressed with the speed of the near-category-5 winds that decimated it on September 28, 2022. Sanibel Causeway tolls resume Jan. 1 after a Hurricane Ian-prompted pause, Lee County officials announced Thursday. The work that has been done to restore vehicle access to Sanibel Island has been historic, the governor added. The Sanibel Lighthouse was damaged by Hurricane Ian on Sept. 28, 2022, and has not been operable since the storm. SANIBEL ISLAND, Fla. Could the Sanibel Causeway, as we once knew it, be gone forever? The Sanibel Causeway was completed and opened for traffic on May 26, 1963. Seeing that Santa on his ladder brought more than smiles to people around the country, it renewed the islands comeback commitment, said John Lai, president and CEO of the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce. Most of downtown Fort Myers and Cape Coral have recovered. Of the most severe damage, a 50-60 foot section of the "A" span . Sanibel claimed that Lee County did not maintain the bridges properly, and used the toll revenue for other road projects. [10][11] No deaths or injuries were confirmed by the Lee County Sheriff's Office. Looking South from the intersection of Periwinkle Way & Tarpon Bay Rd. . Most businesses remain closed. They include Cielo, Jerrys Restaurant, Sanibel Deli & Coffee Factory, Sanibel Grill, The Shack of Sanibel, and Traders Restaurant. Massey just hopes it still stays accessible to all. They used 8,200 loads of fill dirt and 4,000 tons of asphalt. Construction of the current bridges commenced in May 2004. Plans for the project have yet to be finalized. The City of Sanibel | 800 Dunlop Road | Sanibel, FL 33957. The 3-mile causeway was. Anyone with information on these four is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-8477. 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. Residents/contractors with re-entry passes should continue displaying them on their dashboards to assist police. Looking North from the intersection of Lindgren Blvd & E Gulf Dr. After extensive preparations, the causeway was shut down all day on January 20, 2003. About 25% of Sanibel Island should have power back this week, while northern parts of neighboring Captiva Island may not get power restored until November, the governor said. The storm killed more than 100 people in Florida, many of them in Lee County, where Sanibel and its famed seashell beaches are a top tourist destination. 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 is opening ahead of schedule, with repairs previously expected to be done by Oct. 21. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. 20, 2022, Hurricane Ian exposed a flood insurance nightmare for homeowners in Florida. 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. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. Both series begin from the mainland side. Bridge A is the bridge closest to the mainland at Punta Rassa. The. 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. 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. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, My 9 Favorite Restaurants For Amazing Dining Experiences On Sanibel And Captiva Islands, 11 Gorgeous Sanibel And Captiva Island Beaches To Visit. 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. 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. Sanibel Causeway reopens after being damaged by Hurricane Ian, Hurricane Ian destroys portion of Sanibel Causeway, cutting off island. Updated: May 24, 2022 5:00 PM EDT. Downtown Fort Myers and areas of south Fort Myers and Cape Coral suffered from surge that came from the Caloosahatchee River. Today, there are four buildings left - including a structure . Weve been stranded in town for three weeks now and it means everythingto get back.". All Rights Reserved. Standing at the base of the Sanibel Causeway Wednesday morning, Gov. [3], As early as 1912, automobile ferries serviced Sanibel Island from the mainland at Punta Rassa. During peak season, Sanibel Island experiences daily heavy on-bound traffic congestion from 8 a.m. to noon and heavy off-bound traffic between 2:30 and 6:30 p.m. Register with AlertLee for Emergency Announcements, Register for Recreation Center Activities, City of Sanibel Demographics - April 27, 2021, Commercial Hurricane Re-Entry Application. [8] The motorcycle discount plans were removed as part of the plan for a permanent transition to All-Electronic Tolling. Notice: The City of Sanibel's street camera system was destroyed in Hurricane Ian and will be down for repairs until further notice. The goal is to rebuild with the intent of the causeway making it through another hurricane, with structural improvements and more natural protection. Alfonzo Churchwell - one of Crime Stopper's 10 Most Wanted, on the run from local and federal drug and weapons. "More information regarding permanent repairs will be available as we move further through the design process," Pichette said. The original Bridge A was a 26-foot (7.9m) high drawbridge. Weve been stranded in town for three weeks now and it means everything to get back.. 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. We dont have sewer. 2023 Cable News Network. 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 . Its incomprehensible that a storm, a hurricane, can wipe us all out like this in just a few hours, she said. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Multiple sections of a causeway connecting an island in southwestern Florida to the mainland collapsed into the Gulf of Mexico, leaving anyone who did not evacuate stranded, as Hurricane Ian left. 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: The Sanibel Causeway reopened on to Sanibel Island residents on Wednesday, October 19, 2022. Looking North from the intersection of Periwinkle Way & Tarpon Bay Rd. 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. 6:25 PM EDT, Wed October 19, 2022, Families return to Sanibel Island homes for first time after Hurricane Ian. 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. 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. 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. We want to inspire you to explore new destinations, discover new experiences and savor the journey. Ron DeSantis announced. One lifelong Sanibel resident, Troy Thompson, said having the causeway back will really help the barrier island because so much recovery work remains. [5], In early 2003, during a routine inspection, severe cracks were discovered underneath a 48-foot (15m) deck section on Bridge B. To best enjoy your visit to Sanibel: Avoid driving on and off the Island during these peak times Its just so precious to so many people, said Massey. "We had an ambitious agenda and ambitious roadmap to get this done by the end of October.". Sanibel Island will remain cut off from the Florida mainland until major repairs can be made. The Police checkpoint place since the causeway reopened to . 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. Ron DeSantis announced that the bridge will be open for residents that same day, two days before itsscheduled reopening on Friday, Oct. 21. The causeway is our lifeline, and without it we have no opportunity to get back to the island, to get back to our homes, Thompson said. Older condos have the means to rebuild and the island maintains its . SANIBEL ISLAND, Fla. 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