County board OKs design contacts for causeway projects
On Oct. 1, the Lee County Board of County Commissioners voted to award design contracts for public amenities on the Sanibel Causeway Islands and the Punta Rassa Boat Ramp, which were heavily damaged by Hurricane Ian in September of 2022.
The county reported that facilities at both sites remain closed to accommodate the Florida Department of Transportation’s effort to restore the causeway.
Ian reshaped the Causeway Islands, which are spoil islands. Efforts to restore facilities are focused on creating more resilient spoil islands.
The $1.31 million contract with Fort Myers-based Johnson Engineering will restore the damaged areas and facilities. Improvements will include site access and parking areas, landscape and irrigation improvements, site drainage and water management areas, restrooms and shade structures, beach access and ADA accommodations. This portion of the project will be funded through the Florida Division of Emergency Management’s (FDEM) Legislative Appropriations Program and Tourist Development Beach Capital Improvement Fund.
The design phase of the Causeway Islands project is expected to be complete next summer.
The $572,410 contract for design services for the Punta Rassa Boat Ramp will include the boat ramp and dock and work to restore the drainage and water management areas, along with the lift station and sewer service to the fish cleaning station. The covered pay kiosk and fish cleaning station, as well as the site lighting, signage and landscaping, will also be replaced. This portion of the project will be funded through the FDEM’s Legislative Appropriations Program Fund.
The design phase of the project is expected to be complete in the spring.
Additional work will be required to restore the bay waterways near the boat ramp before it can be reopened for recreational use.