Are they rebuilding the Sanibel Causeway?

Sanibel Causeway Emergency Restoration: As a part of the Florida Department of Transportation's (FDOT) Emergency Restoration of the Sanibel Causeway, crews continue work on McGregor Boulevard and the Sanibel Causeway from Port Comfort Road to Sanibel Island.



As of early 2026, the Sanibel Causeway is in the final stages of a massive permanent reconstruction project following the catastrophic damage caused by Hurricane Ian in late 2022. While the causeway was famously "patched" and reopened in record time (just 15 days) using temporary fills and bridges to restore island access, the long-term project has focused on building a significantly more resilient structure. This "rebuilding" includes the installation of sheet piling and rock revetments along the causeway islands to prevent future erosion from storm surges. Engineers are also implementing "living shorelines" with native vegetation to provide natural protection against wave action. The road surfaces have been completely repaved, and the drainage systems have been modernized to handle extreme rainfall. Additionally, the project includes the restoration of the world-famous "Causeway Beaches" and boat ramps that were destroyed during the storm. This multi-year effort, largely funded by federal and state emergency grants, is designed to ensure that the primary lifeline to Sanibel and Captiva Islands can withstand the increasingly severe weather patterns of the Gulf of Mexico for the next 50 to 75 years.

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The goal is to finish that by the end of 2023. The rest of the repairs and Lee County Causeway Island improvement projects will be done sometime in 2024. Right now the price tag is nearly $340 million. It's mostly funded by The Federal Highway Administration, but Lee County is on the hook for about $51 million.

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Though it's smaller than many Florida vacation towns, Sanibel Island has been a place important to many people for generations. With the community's efforts to rebuild, it will continue to be so.

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Sanibel Causeway reopens after being damaged by Hurricane Ian. SANIBEL, Fla. — The causeway washed out by Hurricane Ian that links Sanibel Island to the Florida mainland reopened with temporary repairs on Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced.

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Note that Sanibel Island sustained significant damage in September 2022 as a result of Hurricane Ian. Though the island is open to the public as of January 2023, local officials are warning visitors that much of the island's attractions and businesses remain closed.

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The great news is that many of our favorite Sanibel beaches are now open and ready for visitors! Here's what you need to know about which Sanibel beaches are open.

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Sanibel Causeway reopens for residents and businesses, with a permanent fix still in the works. An 11 a.m. opening of the rebuilt causeway that links the island and the mainland was announced by Gov. Ron DeSantis at a briefing at the base of the first bridge segment.

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The Sanibel Causeway that once welcomed residents and visitors to the island was also partially destroyed. With no access to the island, residents were left wondering what remained of their properties and hometown. An aerial picture taken on September 30, 2022 shows the collapsed Sanibel Causeway.

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By consensus, the Sanibel City Council supported the decision to end the requirement for reentry passes on January 2, 2023. The City of Sanibel asks that non-residents respect and understand the fact that Sanibel is still actively working to recover from Hurricane Ian.

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An estimated 6,400 people lived in the City of Sanibel as of April 2021, according to the US Census Bureau. The island is also home to a number of hotels and resorts and sees a significant amount of tourists each year.

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FDOT's proposed timeline for the upgraded Sanibel Causeway is one year. The cumulative cost for this project is just over $285 million. Commissioners plan to seek federal infrastructure funds to pay most of the cost. This would bring Lee County's share of the bill to about $51.6 million.

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At least five sections of the Sanibel Causeway — which connects the barrier islands, including Sanibel and Captiva, to the mainland — were washed away by the storm, Lee County officials said.

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General Access to the Sanibel Island Causeway/Bridge The Sanibel Island Bridge is open to the public and accessible to all visitors who wish to explore the island's wonders. Whether you are planning a day trip or an extended stay, you can traverse the bridge without any restrictions.

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The City of Sanibel is excited to announce that all public access beach park locations in Sanibel are now open to the public. The city announced on Thursday that the following areas are set to open Friday, June 30: Bayside parking lot at 110 – 153 Periwinkle Way for Lighthouse Beach Park.

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Red Tide. At this time, there is no sign of Karenia brevis, the organism that causes red tide, in our area.

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Sanibel Island attracts many people who choose to live year-round. It creates a very distinct and passionate local community, making Sanibel more than a vacation destination.

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