DeSantis: Pine Island Temporary Bridge to Open Ahead Of Schedule

MATLACHA (FLV) – Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the temporary bridge to Pine Island will open to the public on Wednesday.

Pine Island is a large island in Lee County with 9,000 residents. Access was destroyed during Hurricane Ian.

DeSantis says they originally wanted it to be done by the end of the week but have finished ahead of schedule.

“Hats off – really good work. Usually government will promise and under deliver. Well here’s an over-delivering, getting it done ahead of schedule,” DeSantis said.

Crews are doing final inspections and emergency crews will access the bridge first.

“There was no way they’re going to be forced to leave this island – this is their home. And so, they’re really making use of what they have very effectively, this is going to open up so much – it’s going to be so much better,” DeSantis said.

DeSantis says now they can get power trucks and fuel on the island.

The governor’s office previously said permanent repairs are expected to take “some time to complete,” and that the emergency access will only be short term.

Sanibel Causeway Bridge Repair

Much like Pine Island, the Sanibel Causeway was affected when the land that the road was built on was washed away, according to officials.

The contract for the Sanibel Causeway bridge repair was reportedly awarded as Gov. Ron DeSantis directed the Florida Department of Transportation to prioritize the project.

FDOT expects the bridge will be accessible by the end of October.