Road Watch Update:

From Sunday, December 3 through Thursday, December 7, motorists should expect nighttime/overnight lane closures.

Motorists should expect nighttime/overnight lane closures throughout the duration of this project.

FDOT Traffic Advisory
Sanibel Causeway Emergency Restoration
WEEKEND LANE CLOSURES

Fort Myers, Fla. – As a part of the Emergency Restoration of the Sanibel Causeway, the contractor will be restoring five bridge approaches, where the bridges meet the upland roadway (on the land).  On weekends through November and December, the Causeway will be limited to one lane for both directions of travel.  Flaggers will be controlling traffic during this weekend work.  The contractor is making every effort not to impact the heavy weekday traffic.

·         On weekends through November and December, motorists should expect ONE LANE OPEN to two-way travel during ALL HOURS beginning 7 p.m. on Fridays through 6 a.m. on Mondays.  Flaggers are scheduled to assist drivers as crews work around the clock to restore the causeway bridge approaches.   Temporary signals may also be utilized to help with traffic control.  Motorists should plan for traffic delays and allow additional travel time on these weekends.

Crews will be working around the clock to replace five approach slabs, all except the undamaged approach from Sanibel onto the western span of the causeway. To expedite this work, the contractor is utilizing a special high early strength concrete that allows each phase of the reconstruction to be completed within 72 hours compared to the normal one-week construction time. Additionally, the contractor will sequence crews from many different disciplines to accomplish the accelerated restoration.
 

Bicyclists are encouraged to utilize another mode of transportation to travel the causeway and pedestrians are not permitted.  Lanes are narrowed to 10-feet in some locations.  Expect shoulder closures throughout the project.  MOTORISTS ARE REMINDED TO OBEY THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT OF 20 MPH.  Please use caution and watch for workers and construction vehicles entering and leaving the roadway.

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Sanibel Causeway Emergency Restoration:  As a part of the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) Emergency Restoration of the Sanibel Causeway, crews continue work on McGregor Boulevard and the Sanibel Causeway from Port Comfort Road to Sanibel Island. The causeway islands surrounding the temporary roadway are an active work zone and are currently closed for public access, including from the water.  

·         Motorists should be aware that through October and November, portions of the travel lanes near the bridges on the Causeway will be narrowed to 10 feet with a one-foot shoulder and barrier wall on each side.  Oversized loads will only be permitted during the nighttime/overnight hours with this restriction.

·         During the hours of 6:30 - noon, motorists leaving Sanibel should expect eastbound McGregor Boulevard to be reduced to one lane from just east of the toll plaza to Port Comfort Road. This closed lane will be used as a dedicated lane for concrete delivery trucks arriving to the project.  Concrete trucks will be escorted by FHP when using this lane. During this time, motorists traveling to Sanibel should expect FHP to intermittently stop traffic to allow concrete trucks to cross westbound travel lanes to reach the staging area.

·         On weekdays, beginning no earlier than 10 a.m., motorists traveling westbound to Sanibel on McGregor Boulevard should expect the outside lane closed to traffic for crews to install guardrail from Port Comfort Road to the toll plaza.

·         Motorists should expect isolated flagging operations on the Causeway.  Crews anticipate opening all lanes between the hours of 7 - 9 a.m. and 3 - 5 p.m.

·         Motorists should expect uneven road surface on the causeway through the end of the year. The contractor continuously monitors road conditions and is prepared to make repairs as needed. 

·         Crews are relocating utilities along McGregor Boulevard. Motorists are asked to use caution as work activities may be close to the roadway.

·         Crews continue driving sheet pile on the causeway islands. 

·         Motorists should expect numerous dump trucks entering and exiting Punta Rassa.  They are delivering armor stone to be used throughout the project. 

·         Motorists should expect periodic daytime delays for delivery/removal of materials, transfer of equipment, and for crews to remove trash from the roadway.

Many oversized vehicles are crossing the causeway to assist with recovery efforts on the island.  Please be patient as travel may be slower than usual. Bicyclists are encouraged to utilize another mode of transportation to travel the causeway and pedestrians are not permitted on the Sanibel Causeway.  Expect shoulder closures throughout the project. 

MOTORISTS ARE REMINDED TO OBEY THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT OF 20 MPH.  Please use caution and watch for workers and construction vehicles entering and leaving the roadway.  For further questions, please contact Jennifer Dorning by email at Jennifer.Dorning@dot.state.fl.us or by phone at (239) 338-7723.