Jun 26, 2006

Sanibel Drawbridge Resumes Normal Operations for Boat Traffic on Tuesday, June 27th

Fort Myers, FL, June 23, 2006 – The initial phase of construction in the Sanibel Drawbridge navigation channel is scheduled for completion on Monday June 26, 2006.  The Sanibel Causeway Drawbridge navigation channel will resume normal operations for boat traffic on Tuesday, June 27, 2006.  

Normal operating hours for the drawbridge are:  

7:00 A.M. through 6:00 P.M.   Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays, the drawbridge will open on the hour and half-hour intervals when signaled. On Saturday, Sunday and Federal Holidays the drawbridge shall open on signal, except that from 7:00 A.M. until 6:00 P.M., the drawbridge will open on the hour, quarter-hour, half-hour and three quarter hour intervals. 

This schedule permits vehicular traffic to cross the drawbridge during peak traffic hours and helps alleviate vehicular traffic backlogs while not unreasonably interfering with the movement of vessels. 

6:01 P.M. through 6:59 A.M. the drawbridge will open upon demand with a minimum five-minute notice.  Meaning if a vessel requires an opening the drawbridge will be opened as signaled with minimum notification.  The Sanibel Toll Facility telephone number is (239)-573-1680, option 444. 

It is anticipated that there will be additional closures on a day-to-day basis later this summer. 

There will be a safety zone established around the bridge, no boaters will be allowed within 500' of the work zone and this will be enforced by the Florida Wildlife Commission.  Anyone caught breaking the no-wake rule will be ticketed and fined up to $32, 000.   

For more information about the Sanibel Causeway Improvements project, please visit the project web site at www.sanibelcauseway.com

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