Hurricane Ian Traffic : From Lee County Pine Island bridges update and more
Fort Myers, FL, Oct. 2, 2022 – Lee County announced Sunday updates on its bridges that were impacted by Hurricane Ian.
Matlacha / Pine Island:
The Florida Department of Transportation will assist Lee County to expedite emergency repairs to the road and bridges that provide motorists access to Pine Island. FDOT will begin mobilizing equipment, materials and crews this week, with access to Pine Island being restored by Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. These repairs are needed for first responders and residents to access the island, as well as other recovery efforts such as power restoration and debris removal.
A temporary road will reconnect access from the mainland to Pine Island. Once the temporary road is complete, FDOT crews will continue clearing the path through the island to provide safe drivable access for first responders, disaster recovery experts and residents.
South of Fort Myers Beach / north of Bonita Beach:
The following bridges remain closed: New Pass, Big Carlos Pass Bridge and Big Hickory Pass Bridge. Lee County DOT is coordinating with FDOT to determine temporary and permanent repairs for these bridges.
Sanibel Causeway:
FDOT has hired consultants to do a full inspection. The causeway remains closed.
Help for islanders:
Residents of Pine Island and Sanibel who want to leave the islands can use a service the U.S. Coast Guard is offering. USCG continues to help with waterborne-operations, transporting people off those islands.
Lee County uses LeeTran to shuttle islanders to one of its open hurricane shelters, where food, water and connections to services are available. Details are available at www.leegov.com/storm under “transportation.”
Additional information and updates from Lee County:
Afternoon update: Watch the latest press conference with Lee County officials at https://youtu.be/VsEv5PlwlpU. Follow @Lee County Government on Facebook, www.facebook.com/
Safety: Generator use
Run your generator outdoors only.
Make sure it’s 10 to 20 feet away from the house.
Debris: Lee County on Monday will open four sites for residents who want to haul yard waste or construction and demolition debris. Visit www.leegov.com/storm and scroll to “Solid Waste.” Those who do not want to haul their own will receive pickup from the county’s contracted debris hauler as part of post-storm recovery.
Lee County Solid Waste garbage collection will resume Monday on the normally scheduled day for all routes in Lee County franchise areas that are accessible to collection trucks. This collection is for household garbage only − everyday trash items and all spoiled food. Collection of recycling will resume at a later time.
Pets: Lee County Domestic Animal Services is coordinating with University of Florida to deploy a mobile veterinary clinic to assist with medical needs of displaced pets.
Animal Control Officers are actively in the Fort Myers Beach area and surrounding areas for recovery and are mobilizing recovery efforts in the Pine Island area.
LCDAS will be setting up food distribution sites for pet owners in need of assistance.
Check www.leegov.com/storm and follow Lee County Domestic Animal Services on Facebook.
Shelters: Please do not bring donated items to hurricane shelters. Monetary donations can be made at www.leegov.com/storm; click on the red “donate” button.
