FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Amy Davies, Lee County Department of Transportation
              (239) 479-8589

WEIGHT LIMITS AND SPEED REDUCTION PLANNED FOR SANIBEL CAUSEWAY

FORT MYERS, Fla. (February 6, 2003) - Kissinger Campo and Associates has developed a superstructure analysis (load rating) of the Sanibel Bridges.

Lee County will reduce speed to 20mph on all three of the Sanibel Causeway Bridges and will reduce weight limits as follows:

These restrictions will begin as soon as signs can be posted.

These weight limits and speed restrictions will be strictly enforced. Lee County Department of Transportation is urging motorists to strictly adhere to the speed limits and are urging heavy trucks to comply with the new weight limits.

The restrictions will be in place until the bridges can be replaced in approximately 4-5 years.

KCA will continue emergency inspection of the bridges for the next few weeks and will complete an analysis of these inspections and submit them to the Lee County Department of Transportation.

Lee County Department of Transportation maintenance crews are in the process of installing braces under each of the beams at the quarter points of the span. The braces will be completed by the end of this week.