Two years and counting.
It was clear from the day Hurricane Ian hit Southwest Florida (Sept. 28, 2022) that the Sanibel Causeway’s permanent fixes couldn’t take place in weeks or months. It would take years.
Patience is required when a vital transportation artery is ripped apart, like the causeway was, and needs extensive restoration to not just get it back to pre-storm conditions, but better.
This week the Florida Department of Transportation announced another milestone has been reached in the restoration project. Crews have moved traffic to the permanent lanes on the Sanibel Causeway, which is something to celebrate.
FDOT added that the causeway islands surrounding the temporary roadway remain an active work zone and are closed to public access, including from the water.
Here’s a more detailed account of working underway and expected to start in the coming week:
EAST FROM TOLL PLAZA
- The contractor expects to complete the underground drainage crossing this week. By Dec. 20, motorists can expect the two, westbound lanes on McGregor Boulevard open to traffic. Currently, both directions of McGregor traffic are shifted to the south side of the road from approximately 1/2 mile from Shell Point Boulevard to west of Port Comfort Road. Westbound traffic headed to Port Comfort may continue straight to turn right to Port Comfort. The shift is necessary for the contractor to reconstruct the underground pipe crossing under the north side of the road.
- Beginning on Dec. 20, motorists should expect one eastbound lane closed from the toll plaza to Shell Point for crews to restore guardrail, including the asphalt along the shoulder.
- Motorists should expect temporary daytime lane closures on McGregor, both eastbound and westbound from Shell Point to Punta Rassa Road, for crews to move equipment and materials as necessary.