County commission approves contracts for Sanibel Causeway project
Open house set to share plans on improvements
On Aug. 17, the Lee County Board of County Commissioners voted to award contracts for engineering services for enhancements to Sanibel Causeway Islands A and B and construction services for the shoreline stabilization of Island B.
The contracts are part of a larger project. Plans approved by the commission in December call for the shoring up of erosion-prone areas of Islands A and B. Beach sand also will be added along parts of the islands. In addition, enhancements will be made to upland portions of both islands, including the creation of structured parking, new restrooms on Island A, additional picnic pavilions, pathways and landscaping, and the addition of other park amenities.
In preparation for the project, Lee County crews in July removed Australian pines from the islands, which is an invasive exotic species. The Australian pines will be replaced with native trees.
Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson was awarded the contract for the construction engineering and inspection services for the shoreline stabilization and upland improvements of both islands. Spectrum Contracting was awarded the contract to provide construction services for the stabilization of the shoreline of Island B.
The construction contract for the stabilization of Island A and upland improvements for both islands will be brought to the county commissioners at a later date.
Lee County Parks & Recreation will host an open house on Aug. 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Wa-Ke Hatchee Recreation Center in Fort Myers for the Causeway Islands Park Improvement project.
The public is invited to view preliminary project plans and renderings, as well as discuss the improvements with a consultant and county staff.
The $8.5 million project ultimately will enhance both islands using tourist development taxes and state funds. The county plans to keep construction impacts to a minimum and complete the project by summer 2024.
For more information, visit www.leeparks.org or call 239-533-7275.
The Wa-Ke Hatchee Recreation Center is at 16760 Bass Road, Fort Myers.