Work is getting done on Sanibel Causeway, ‘but we’re not there yet’

Work on the Sanibel Island Causeway is moving full speed ahead, with one company spokesman saying repair work could be finished before the end of the week.

“Wednesday or Thursday they should be tying in and getting people off the island,” said Jacob Amann, owner and president of AA Surface Pro Inc.

The company also used its private vessel to ferry residents to and from Sanibel Island at no cost.

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The Florida Department of Transportation has had teams working on the Sanibel Island Causeway since Hurricane Ian damaged the bridges leading to the island on Sept. 28.

It is the last barrier island where the state needs to restore access, Florida Department of Transportation officials said in a news release.

“Sanibel Island Causeway experienced significant damage at multiple points along the entire causeway,” Jessica Ottaviano, FDOT communications director, said in an email.

Hundreds of trucks are hauling dirt and gravel to fill in damaged areas, and crews are working 24/7 to get the work done as quickly as possible.

AA Surface Pro is just one of many companies helping the state make the bridges accessible.

“Right now the big goal for everybody is fill the holes,” Amann said. “We’ve gotten over the first bridge and onto the first island, working our way to the second bridge.”

Ottaviano said Ajax Paving and Superior are the two main contractors awarded the emergency response contract.

“Hundreds of trucks and equipment were mobilized to the area and various crews are working along the project corridor at multiple work zones,” Ottaviano said. “Crews are working in parallel at different locations along the entire causeway – both land side and marine side – to expedite repairs.”

The temporary bridge fixes will be in place until permanent repairs can be made.

“There’s no concern on building the bridges back or getting anything built to final structure at this point,” Amann said. “It’s kinda just build a 24-foot wide road and get people off the island.

“We have accomplished that and gotten pretty far at this point, but we’re not there yet.”

Ottaviano said the permanent repairs will connect with the temporary ones to dovetail work already done, instead of replacing it while allowing full access to the island.

“The majority of the work consists of restoring the roadway and land that lead up to bridge structures, as they were completely washed away and are the main parts of the connection to the island,” Ottaviano said. “The actual bridge structures as part of this connection have been inspected and are cleared safe, so now it is a matter of linking everything else back together.”

Although access to Sanibel Island will be restored through temporary measures, it will take a long time to make permanent repairs, Ottaviano said.

“Causeways typically consist of bridge structures and roadways that connect barrier islands to the mainland,” she said. “From initial assessments, repairs will include restoring the roadway, repairing bridge approaches, and performing bridge stability analysis.”

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This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Sanibel Island Causeway repairs near completion after Ian damage