FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                       

Contacts: Pete Winton, Lee County Administration (239)335-2777
                D.T. Minich, Visitor & Convention Bureau (239)338-3500

SANIBEL CAUSEWAY CLOSURE HOTLINE PROVIDES VISITORS INFORMATION ON ACCOMMODATIONS AVAILABILITY, TRANSPORTATION

FORT MYERS, Fla. (January 16, 2003) – To assist visitors to Lee County who may be affected by the closure of the Sanibel Causeway, Jan. 19, 10 p.m., - Jan. 21, 6 a.m. for bridge repairs, the Lee Island Coast Visitor and Convention Bureau (VCB) has activated a live hotline.  By calling 1-800-858-3120, visitors who may have planned to stay on Sanibel/Captiva islands can receive information on availability and rates of various mainland properties.

The hotline also provides visitors with details on the Sanibel-Captiva Essential Personnel Transportation Network.  Coordinated by the Sanibel-Captiva Chamber of Commerce, this transportation network is comprised of private businesses to provide ground and water transportation.  Visitors with scheduled airport arrivals and departures, as well as employees of island businesses, and public health and safety personnel, will be able to utilize this transportation network.  Lee County residents are urged not to use this service unless absolutely necessary.

To further disseminate this important information, VCB volunteers will staff its booths at Southwest Florida International Airport on Jan. 19 and Jan. 20, 9 a.m. to midnight, both days.

Updates on the Sanibel Causeway repair project are available at www.mysanibel.com