FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

COUNTY TO START TEST PILINGS FOR CAUSEWAY REPLACEMENT

FORT MYERS, Fla. (October 17, 2003) - Lee County will begin Tuesday (Oct. 21) driving test pilings next to the Sanibel Causeway in anticipation of replacing the bridges.

Misner Marine, out of Tampa, will be doing the work using a barge and crane. It could take up to six weeks.

Test pilings are used to determine the depth of the concrete pilings that will be needed to support the bridge. Misner will drive about 10 test piles over the next six weeks.

(Note to media: Representatives from Lee DOT will be available to the media at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Sanibel Boat Ramp to answer questions about the process and do interviews).

The bridges replacement schedule, TENTATIVE, is as follows:

• Fall 2003 - Pile Driving Test
• Spring 2005 - Middle Fixed Span (Bridge B) Complete
• Late 2005 - Fixed Span Closest To Sanibel (Bridge C) Complete
• Late 2006 - Drawbridge Replacement With Fixed Span Complete

In September, the Board of Lee County Commissioners unanimously approved a $55.4 million financing package for the Sanibel Causeway bridges replacement that includes a 70-foot fixed span to replace the current drawbridge (Span A).

Bridge B will be replaced 10 feet west of the existing bridge and Bridge C will be replaced 10 feet east of the existing bridge.