Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis directed the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) this week to prioritize repairs to the Sanibel Causeway, as well other recovery efforts like power restoration and debris removal, after Hurricane Ian destroyed the bridge.
Completing the repairs would give first responders access to the island in order to conduct life and safety missions, the governor’s office said. Since Hurricane Ian made landfall as a Category 4 storm on Sept. 28, work has been done to begin the process of rebuilding. Already, the FDOT said, all accessible state-owned bridge inspections have been completed and the department is assisting with locally owned bridges. The department has also cleared nearly all of the state roads that were impacted by the storm.
“FDOT has already made tremendous progress on the temporary bridge to Pine Island,” DeSantis said. “Now, I’ve asked them to work with Lee County to immediately begin work to provide temporary access and begin repairs to the Sanibel Causeway. Access to our barrier islands is a priority for our first responders and emergency services who have been working day and night to bring relief to all Floridians affected by Hurricane Ian.”
The repairs to the Causeway are expected to be completed by the end of the month. Once immediate recovery efforts have subsided, more permanent repairs will be made, the FDOT said. Emergency repairs now will offer a safe access corridor and will be incorporated into long-term repair plans.
“FDOT is proud to play a part in restoring our communities across the state. The Pine Island bridge is well on its way for completion. I’m confident we can provide the same level of service for the Sanibel Island community,” Florida Transportation Secretary Jared W. Perdue said. “Much like Pine Island, the Sanibel Causeway was affected when the land that the road was built on was washed away. A bridge stability analysis will be performed, and repairs needed range from repairing bridge approaches to restoring the roadway across most of the causeway.”