Sanibel sand project will help remove some of the scars from the 2022 hurricane season

Mark H. Bickel, Fort Myers News-Press
·2 min read

A stretch of beach along the northwest side of Sanibel Island is getting some love and attention starting this week, removing some the scars left behind from the 2022 hurricane season in Southwest Florida.

Trucks started hauling sand to the location on Monday (Aug. 21) to replace sand lost to erosion due to Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Nicole last year.

8 things to know about the Sanibel sand project

A beach re-nourishment project is underway on Sanibel Island to restore sand that was washed away when Hurricane Ian hit Southwest Florida on Sept. 28, 2022, and also Hurricane Nicole.
A beach re-nourishment project is underway on Sanibel Island to restore sand that was washed away when Hurricane Ian hit Southwest Florida on Sept. 28, 2022, and also Hurricane Nicole.

  • COST AND FINANCING: The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted in January to accept grant funds of $5 million from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for Hurricane Ian and Nicole Emergency Recovery to place sand on Lee County beaches.

  • WHAT WILL THIS ACCOMPLISH: The sand on Sanibel will reinforce the shoreline south of Blind Pass and reduce the vulnerability of Sanibel Captiva Road, which serves as an evacuation route.

  • HOW MANY TONS OF SAND IS NEEDED: Engineering estimates from the City of Sanibel determined that the site needs about 70,000 tons of sand.

  • HOW MANY TRUCKS ARE BEING USED: About 25 trucks will deliver sand each day, which means fewer trucks on the road compared with other recent sand-hauling operations in Southwest Florida.

  • IS THE SAND THE SAME AS WHAT WAS THERE BEFORE: The sand is approved as beach compatible by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

  • WHAT IS THE TRUCKING ROUTE: The trucking route will be from Immokalee to Sanibel, avoiding Corkscrew Road between Alico Road and Interstate 75.

  • HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT: The work is expected to be complete in about 90 days.

  • WHAT ABOUT PUBLIC ACCESS: Public access at Blind Pass Beach Park and Turner Beach Park will remain open. Work hours will be dawn to dusk on weekdays. The city and county ask that motorists and beach goers be aware and abide by all signs and instructions provided by traffic control personnel in the area.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Sanibel beach getting new sand after damage from hurricane ian, nicole