Sanibel Causeway expected to re-open to all in January
Beach parking to remain closed
The city of Sanibel anticipates that the opening of the Sanibel Causeway to those without city-issued, hurricane re-entry passes — the general public — will begin with the new year.
City department officials provided the Sanibel City Council with updates on the ongoing Hurricane Ian recovery efforts as part of the monthly meeting agenda last week. In his report, City Manager Dana Souza explained that staff is expecting the causeway can be reopened to non-pass holders starting on Jan. 2.
“This has not been a decision we have taken lightly,” he said, noting that he and Sanibel Police Chief William “Bill” Dalton have had lengthy conversations about when it would be possible to do that.
“Jan. 2 is the date that we anticipate passes will no longer be needed,” Souza added.
As for why that date, he explained that it is a Monday and will start the week, plus Lee County has announced that it will resume collecting tolls on the causeway starting on Jan. 1. Also, the city’s storm debris contractor expects to have 80 percent of the debris collected off the right-of-way by Dec. 23.
“That gives another week for them to collect debris and have those big trucks out of the way at the level that they’re been,” he said, noting that LCEC will be continuing with its pole replacement.
Souza explained that he and Dalton discussed the city’s curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
“The curfew will remain in place,” he said. “We’re going to continue to evaluate that and we’ll update you regularly, as we have been, if we need to make a change to the curfew.”
Souza acknowledged that some want the causeway open to all, while others think it is too soon.
“The message to the community is that we know there are folks on both sides of this issue,” he said. “Please secure your homes and businesses as soon as you can to make sure that you have comfort level in your property being secured.”
The public is urged to contact the Sanibel police for concerns and if they see suspicious activity.
“They want to respond to that concern,” Souza said. “They’re happy to come out.”
Also in his report, he explained that those with resident passes will be permitted on and off the islands outside of the curfew hours starting on Dec. 19. Souza added that the city beaches will not be open.
“No beach parking will be open,” he said in reference to the anticipated causeway’s reopening.
To reach TIFFANY REPECKI, please email trepecki@breezenewspapers.com