Repairs for the Sanibel Fishing Pier project ahead of schedule
By MEGHAN BRADBURY
mbradbury@breezenewspapers.com The temporary repairs for the Sanibel Fishing Pier is currently ahead of schedule, with a tentative completion set for the third week of November.
Josh Holler, superintendent of streets and parks, said the project is moving at a relatively fast pace, and they are definitely ahead of schedule.
Stokes Marine is doing the repair, which has a tentative completion date of Friday, Nov. 20.
“That will open up the existing pier that is being rebuilt. We are working towards that Nov. 20 date,” Sanibel Public Works Director Fred Mittl said.
There were sections of the pier that sank, due to Hurricane Ian.
“Right at the fishing pier was the line of the impact,” Holler said.
The repairs include replacing the ramp to get onto the pier.
“They had to replace that 46-foot section with new joists and stringers,” Holler said, adding that they had to go to 46 feet to reach a level position. “All the handrails are being replaced with ADA improvements.”
Last Tuesday a shade structure was added to the work.
The new permanent fishing pier will be located 100 feet west of the current location with a similar design, but 3 feet higher.
Holler said that pier is being redesigned to be more resilient and further away from the point of the island. The new pier will be tucked in the tree line to protect it, becoming more resilient.
It is currently in design and permitting, with the permitting expected to take about 18 months.
“It will be about 18 months to two years before the construction will start, pending any adverse weather,” he said.
The construction will take about a year to finish, with an anticipated completion in the middle of 2029.
Once the new pier is completed, the current pier will be demolished.
“We want to be able to have them fishing without any shutdowns again,” he said.
The community was involved in selecting the location of the new pier from three different locations. The one selected is closest to the existing pier. The other two were on the west side of the park.
The one chosen, Holler said, was due to the depth of the water — as that was the wish of the fishermen.
The wishlist items — the amenities — will come at a later date. Some of the items — the trash cans, signage and benches — will be transferred from the existing pier to the new pier once it is completed.
“We only have $2.148 million designated to the reconstruction, mostly to replace the pier,” Holler said. “All the amenities, wants and needs will be separate little projects budgeted separately. The main scope is to replace the actual pier itself.”