FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:            Scott Gilbertson, Lee County Department of Transportation
                         (941) 479-8580

UPDATE #2: SANIBEL CAUSEWAY QUESTIONS ANSWERED

FORT MYERS, Fla. (January 8, 2003) – Due to the prohibition of 10-ton or more trucks on the Sanibel Causeway until emergency repairs are made to the center bridge, some questions have arisen:

What about school bus crossings?

School buses are over the 10-ton limit and cannot cross.  Parents will have to make arrangements to get their kids off the island to schools.

What law enforcement agency is enforcing the prohibition?

The county is working with the Sheriff’s Office and/or Sanibel Police Department to see if it can get 24-hour enforcement.  As of now, flagmen will remain at the bridge until further notice.

What about garbage service?

County is working with Florida Recycling Service, the hauler, to come up with a plan to remove garbage from the island but the details haven’t been worked out yet.  We’ll update you in the morning.

The Transportation Department will issue continuing updates on the status of the situation.  The county is accelerating repairs to minimize disruption.