Hurricane Ian Traffic: Governor Ron DeSantis Issues Updates

10/06/2022

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Governor Ron DeSantis traveled to Lee County to give updates, survey impacted areas and to deliver supplies to Sanibel Island. While visiting Matlacha in Lee County, the Governor announced the emergency road and bridge repairs for Pine Island have been completed in less than three days. The Governor also brought Florida Department of Transportation engineers to Sanibel Island to begin construction on a bridge to the island. Full remarks can be found here.

This morning, President Biden approved the Governor’s request to make additional disaster funding available to the State of Florida and extended the time period for 100 percent federal funding for an additional 30 days, giving Florida a total of 60 days at 100 percent funding following Hurricane Ian.

There are currently 298,820 reported power outages. They have already restored power nearly 2.4 million accounts across the state, representing 88.92% of accounts restored since the peak. There are currently 11 fueling depot stations open statewide, and a mobile fuel truck has been deployed to Arcadia to support residents without access to fuel.

Additional programs that have been put into place to aid communities include the activation of the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program, the initiation of the Army Corps of Engineers’ Operation Blue Roof, and FDOT’s diligent work to construct temporary bridges into areas that are cut off from motorists.

Infrastructure

  • FDOT is working to assist Lee County to expedite emergency repairs to the road and bridges that provide motorists access to Pine Island.
  • Cut and Toss crews cleared over 4,746 miles (88% complete) of state roadways. Continue to listen to local law enforcement and county officials for potential detours
  • Debris removal has begun, most heavily focused in Southwest Florida.
  • FDOT bridge inspectors continue to inspect bridges. 2,507 bridges have been inspected to date.
  • All High Priority Bridges have been cleared in Tampa Bay, Southwest Florida, Northeast Florida, and Central Florida
  • Projects under construction in the following counties can resume activities:
    • Alachua, Bay, Baker, Bradford, Brevard, Broward, Calhoun, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Holmes, Indian River, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Marion, Martin, Miami Dade, Monroe, Nassau, Okaloosa, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Putnam,  Santa Rosa, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Seminole, Sumter Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia, Wakulla, Walton, Washington

Road and Bridges

Current Major Road and Bridge Closures. Up-to-date closures listed on FL511.com:

PINE ISLAND AND SANIBEL BRIDGES

Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has completed construction of a temporary bridge to Pine Island. Original completion date was scheduled for Saturday. First Responders and Emergency Personnel will have access soon and residents will have access later this afternoon.

FDOT has begun working on a repairs to the Sanibel Island Causeway.

Bridges Closed as of 12 pm on 10/5/22

  • Sanibel Causeway (Lee County)

Roads closed

  • Brevard County
    • SR-46 Westbound at Hatbill Road – Lane closed
  • DeSoto County
    • SR-70 from CR-661 to N Baldwin Avenue – Lane closed, both directions
    • SR-70 at NW Lily Avenue – Lane closed, both directions
    • SR-72 from CR-661 to SR-70 – Lane closed, both directions
    • SR-72 from Myakka Valley Trail to NW Flint Road – Lane closed
    • SR-72 at SW Gator Trail – Lane closed, both directions
  • Hardee County
    • SR-64 Eastbound at Golfview Drive – Lane closed
    • SR-64 at Peace River – Lane closed, both directions
    • SR-64 from Florida Cracker Trail to School House Road – Lane closed, both directions
  • Lee County
    • Pine Island Road Bridge (SR-78/Pine Island Road at Matlacha Draw Bridge)
    • Sanibel Causeway
    • Bonita Beach Road at Simmons Lane – All lanes closed
    • Captiva Drive from Palmflower Lane to Sanibel Captiva Road – Lane closed, both directions
    • CR-865 at Broadway Channel – Lane closed, both directions
    • CR-865 from Estrellita Drive to Cape Hickory Court – Lane closed, both directions
    • CR-867 Southbound from Port Comfort Road to Punta Rassa Road – All lanes closed
    • Estero Boulevard at Broadway Channel – Lane closed, both directions
  • Manatee County
    • SR-37 at Manatee/Polk County Line – Lane closed, both directions
  • Orange County
    • SR-528 Westbound at Exit 12: SR-551/Goldenrod Road North Bound – On and Off-ramp closed
  • Osceola County
    • US-441/Holopaw Road Southbound at Golden Citrus Road – Lane closed
  • Polk County
    • E Grove Avenue at S Scenic Highway – Lane closed, both directions
    • SR-37 Northbound before SR-674 – All lanes closed
  • Sarasota County
    • CR-780 at Sinclair Drive – Lane closed, both directions
    • CR-780 at Manatee/Sarasota County Line
    • N River Road from E Venice Avenue to US-41 Northbound – Lane closed
  • Seminole County
    • SR-46 Eastbound at N Jungle Road – Lane closed

Roads and Bridges Recently Opened as of 7 a.m. on 10/5/22

  • Flagler County
    • S Oceanshore Boulevard at S 14th Street
  • Lee County
    • SR-867/McGregor Boulevard Northbound beyond Winkler Road
    • SR-867/McGregor Boulevard Southbound at Colonial Boulevard
  • Osceola County
    • Pleasant Hill Road at Northgate Drive

RAIL

  • CSX special weather inspections were completed and determined there are no main line disruptions.
  • Seminole Gulf Railway sustained significant damage.

o   Damage assessments continue and repair plans are underway.

o   Operations reopened in Ft. Myers only.

  • Amtrak has resumed modified service to areas of the Southeast.
    • The Auto Train and other Florida routes terminate in Jacksonville with bus service between Jacksonville, Orlando, and Tampa

PORTS

  • All ports are now open.
  • Fuel Terminals: All port fuel terminals have resumed normal operations.

AIRPORTS

o   All Commercial Service airports are now open