How much of the Sanibel Causeway was destroyed?
How much of the Sanibel Causeway was destroyed? At least five sections of the Sanibel Causeway — which connects the barrier islands, including Sanibel and Captiva, to the mainland — were washed away by the storm, Lee County officials said.
Is Sanibel Causeway reopen?
Sanibel Causeway reopens after being damaged by Hurricane Ian. SANIBEL, Fla. — The causeway washed out by Hurricane Ian that links Sanibel Island to the Florida mainland reopened with temporary repairs on Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced.
How many people live on Sanibel Island Florida?
Sanibel is an island and city in Lee County, Florida, United States. The population was 6,382 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area.
How badly was Sanibel Island damaged?
Thousands of structures in the community were reduced to rubble, trees and vegetation were wiped out, and power lines were downed. Much of the furniture and appliances in homes became destroyed and unusable, creating piles of trash on the roads to be taken to the landfill.
Is Sanibel Island open to the public?
Sanibel Island is now open to anyone who wants to visit. The reopening comes just a day after the tolls on the Sanibel Causeway were reinstated. Sanibel's recovery progress includes 80% of right-of-way debris being removed from the East Periwinkle Way bridge.
When can people go back to Sanibel?
By consensus, the Sanibel City Council supported the decision to end the requirement for reentry passes on January 2, 2023. The City of Sanibel asks that non-residents respect and understand the fact that Sanibel is still actively working to recover from Hurricane Ian.
Is the Sanibel Island Bridge fixed yet?
Sanibel Causeway reopens for residents and businesses, with a permanent fix still in the works. An 11 a.m. opening of the rebuilt causeway that links the island and the mainland was announced by Gov. Ron DeSantis at a briefing at the base of the first bridge segment.
How was the Sanibel Causeway repaired so quickly?
Equipment was brought in by barge, boat and land for the rapid response to repair the Sanibel Causeway. Superior Construction “We flooded the area with as many resources as we could,” Hamrick says.
Is the Sanibel Causeway destroyed?
The Sanibel Causeway was destroyed by Hurricane Ian, and most recently, Hurricane Idalia delayed the reconstruction project.
How long will it take to rebuild Sanibel Causeway?
The goal is to finish that by the end of 2023. The rest of the repairs and Lee County Causeway Island improvement projects will be done sometime in 2024. Right now the price tag is nearly $340 million. It's mostly funded by The Federal Highway Administration, but Lee County is on the hook for about $51 million.
Is Fort Myers Beach still destroyed?
Visitors of Fort Myers Beach can see the town is in the process of recovery, as onlookers can still see destroyed structures, debris and abandoned areas. The resilient residents of Fort Myers Beach are still in the process of rebuilding following Ian.
When did the Sanibel Causeway reopen after Ian?
The Sanibel Causeway was reopened October 19. Now attention turns to permanent repairs. Superior Construction For the temporary repairs, the focus was on hauling in and dredging back dirt to rebuild the breached causeway islands and then pouring asphalt to restore the road.
Is Captiva island gone?
Although the islands remain sundered, things are a bit quieter now. Today the southern island, still known as Captiva, is a beautiful and pricey tourist destination reachable by car over a causeway from the mainland near Fort Myers.
Where did Ian do the most damage?
The hurricane stormed Lee County barrier islands with winds approaching Category 5 speed, followed by storm surge of up to 18 feet. Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel Island, Pine Island, Captiva Island sustained the most damage, with officials saying not one structure escaped damage.
Are Sanibel beaches open after Ian?
The City of Sanibel is excited to announce that all public access beach park locations in Sanibel are now open to the public. The city announced on Thursday that the following areas are set to open Friday, June 30: Bayside parking lot at 110 – 153 Periwinkle Way for Lighthouse Beach Park.
How much of Fort Myers is destroyed?
It has been a year since Hurricane Ian roared across Fort Myers Beach, submerging the barrier island town under nearly 14 feet of storm surge that destroyed or damaged virtually all of its 3,200 buildings.
Can you drive over to Sanibel Island now?
General Access to the Sanibel Island Causeway/Bridge The Sanibel Island Bridge is open to the public and accessible to all visitors who wish to explore the island's wonders. Whether you are planning a day trip or an extended stay, you can traverse the bridge without any restrictions.