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.
The following work activities above are scheduled to occur. However, unforeseen underground conditions and weather may affect the schedule:
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. In early November, the contractor expects to shift traffic 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
– 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 and on the south side of the toll plaza.
– Crews are scheduled to drive sheet pile on the south side of the road by the toll plaza late this week. Crews are currently placing armor stone in the area.
– Crews are scheduled to begin installing sod for roadway stabilization and pond construction in the coming weeks. Earthwork and debris removal continues 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.
For more information about the project, visit www.swflroads.com/SanibelCauseway.