FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

COUNTY PREPARES CAUSEWAY FOR NEW ENFORCEMENT PLAN

FORT MYERS, Fla. (March 20, 2003) - The roads on the Sanibel Causeway's second island were re-striped Wednesday night in anticipation of heavy trucks being weighed as they leave the island, which is scheduled to start Monday (Mar. 24).

The middle lane on that island now will be used as a two-way left-turn lane only, so trucks can take a left to get to the Causeway weigh station operated by the City of Sanibel.

Starting Monday, all trucks more than three tons (empty) or with three axles or more leaving the island with loads will be required to stop and get weighed at the weigh station.

In addition, trucks meeting these requirements will need to get six-month renewable "Restricted Load" permits from Lee County's Department of Transportation to go onto Sanibel Island.

The permit requires truckers to attest to their empty and loaded weights and allows Lee DOT greater enforcement abilities if the trucker violates the restrictions. If a trucker violates the restrictions, that truck's permit will be revoked and it no longer will be allowed to cross the Causeway.

The new policy was put in place because of suspected violations of the Sanibel Causeway weight restrictions - particularly by trucks leaving the island with full loads. The current weight restrictions are 17 tons for single unit trucks and 24 tons for combination unit vehicles. Between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. nightly, those restrictions are eased for trucks with valid overweight permits. The three-ton limit was chosen because trucks of that size with loads can exceed a 17-ton limit.

Lee County's Department of Transportation began issuing the permits Monday (Mar. 17). Either come to the third floor of the county's Community Development/Public Works Building, 1500 Monroe Street in downtown Fort Myers, where Lee DOT is located or call Betsy Rowan at 479-8511.

The only exceptions to the permit will be trucks that can produce a current official loaded weight ticket to the toll attendant at the Sanibel Toll Plaza; this will allow for out-of-area truckers who do not have a Lee DOT issued permit.

TRUCKS WITHOUT A VALID PERMIT OR WEIGHT TICKET WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO CROSS THE CAUSEWAY STARTING MAR. 24.

The county is encouraging those with questions about the speed and weight restrictions on the Sanibel Causeway to call a hotline it has set-up - 335-2852.