FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

INSPECTION: CRACKS IN CAUSEWAY DRAWBRIDGE SPAN
NEED SUPPORTS

FORT MYERS, Fla. (February 26, 2003) - Cracks in the beams of the Sanibel Causeway's drawbridge where it makes landfall on the first causeway island are requiring Lee County to place supports under the beams.

The cracks are similar to those found on the "C" fixed span of the causeway this month. It is in areas where previous cracks have been filled with a spray concrete mixture called gunnite. That mixture is starting to fail.

As was done earlier this month on the "C" span closest to Sanibel, the beams of the drawbridge will be reinforced with supports at the quarter points of the beams.

This latest discovery will not change the current weight or speed restrictions on the causeway, which already were in place due to the deteriorating nature of the B and C spans.

THE COUNTY HAS SET UP A HOTLINE FOR GETTING GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS ON THE CAUSEWAY. IT IS 335-2852.

The emergency inspection of the causeway bridges by Kissinger Campo & Associates was completed last week and results of the inspection will be published in about a month.