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
– Both directions of McGregor Boulevard traffic are shifted to the south side of the road from approximately 1/2 mile from Shell Point Boulevard to west of Port Comfort Road. Westbound traffic headed to Port Comfort may continue straight to turn right to Port Comfort. The shift is necessary for the contractor to reconstruct the underground pipe crossing under the north side of the road. McGregor is scheduled to remain reduced to one lane in each direction through early 2025.
– Motorists should expect the eastbound (south/beach side) shoulder on McGregor to be fully closed to access. Crews have completed work to reinforce the shoreline, as well as paving of the area. Work continues to place sand along the shoulder. The contractor is scheduled to remove the barrier wall in early December.
– 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.
WEST FROM TOLL PLAZA
– Crews will begin removing the barrier wall along the Causeway Islands in preparation for final asphalt. The Causeway Islands Park remains closed to public access.
– Lee County is installing a post and rope system to temporarily delineate pedestrian traffic on the Causeway Islands during the upcoming recreational facility reconstruction.
– 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 currently placing armor stone near the south side of the road by the toll plaza.
– Crews are continuing to install sod for roadway stabilization and pond construction in the coming weeks. Earthwork (grading) 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.