FDOT provides update on causeway project
The Florida Department of Transportation reported that crews have moved traffic to the permanent lanes on the Sanibel Causeway. The causeway islands surrounding the temporary roadway are an active work zone and closed to public access, including from the water.
EAST FROM TOLL PLAZA
– McGregor Boulevard is reduced to one lane in each direction for approximately a half-mile from Shell Point Boulevard to west of Port Comfort Road. Both directions of travel are using the north side of the roadway. Later in the fall, traffic will then be shifted to the south for crews to work on the north. The shift is necessary for the contractor to reconstruct an underground pipe crossing. The contractor expects to maintain one lane of travel in each direction through early 2025.
– Motorists should expect temporary daytime lane closures on McGregor, both eastbound and westbound from Shell Point to Punta Rassa Road for crews to move equipment and materials as necessary.
– Motorists should expect one lane of eastbound travel to continue from the toll plaza to Shell Point on the south (beach) side of McGregor. The shoulder (south/beach side) remains fully closed to access. The closure is necessary for crews to excavate and install underground devices (marine mattresses) to reinforce the shoreline. The closure is expected to be in place through the early fall.
WEST FROM TOLL PLAZA
– Protected beach-nesting birds are currently present on the Causeway Islands. Motorists are encouraged to slow down and pay attention as birds may be flying close to the roadway.
– Motorists should expect traffic to be intermittently stopped at the staging area entrance as equipment crosses the road with materials for work on the south side of McGregor.
– Crews continue earthwork and debris removal along the Causeway Islands. Expect construction equipment periodically entering/leaving the travel lanes when necessary. The contractor is limiting the interruption during peak hours.
– The westbound merge location is west of the toll plaza. Motorists are urged to use caution and obey the 20 mph speed limit. Construction vehicles and equipment continue to enter/exit the staging area near the location.
– Crews continue work in the area of the off-island U-turn under Span A.
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 causeway. Motorists are reminded to obey the posted speed limit of 20 mph throughout the work zone.
The FDOT noted that the above work activities above are scheduled to occur, however unforeseen underground conditions and weather may affect the schedule.
For more information about the project, visit www.swflroads.com/SanibelCauseway.