As the two-year anniversary of Hurricane Ian approaches, there is good news when it comes to the reinforcement of the Sanibel Causeway and it’s resiliency when it comes to future storms.
On Sept. 22, 2022, Hurricane Ian , a strong Category 4 storm, damaged the causeway, making it impassable for several days after the storm. Engineers scrambled and found temporary solutions to get it back open so residents and business owners who evacuated could get back on the island for damage assessment.
More: Sanibel’s beloved Bailey’s is one big step closer to its post-Hurricane Ian return
The causeway restoration project is happening in phases, with the project expected to be completed by 2027, by the Florida Department of Transportation .
Work has started recently on a significant phase for the project − the placing of giant boulders by cranes along the causeway. The boulders come from Alabama and Georgia.
The News-Press reached out to FDOT to find out more about this unique and important part of the restoration. Here is our Q&A: