No one imagined this was feasible. Every expert put the timeline for repair at around a year. However, the git r’ done crews and the Florida Dept of Transportation have accomplished a massive feat of reconstruction in phenomenal time. Major kudos to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the construction crews who worked every hour of every day, day and night, for two straight weeks and have created/built a temporary bridge to Sanibel Island. [Videos below]
Trust me, having seen the aftermath, this is absolutely remarkable. The causeway is made up of three bridge spans (A, B, and C) and three spoil islands.
The rapid response construction crews just kept bringing truck after truck of everything imaginable including rocks, concrete slabs, gravel, sand and more to fill in the missing parts of the roadway and spoil islands. Then they surfaced the road and are now working on paving it in record time. Today restoration emergency crews drove across the bridges, and they anticipate opening the causeway to residents of Sanibel for civilian use on October 21st. WATCH:
Today the construction crews moved aside to allow, over 200 bucket trucks, 150 electric line and pickup trucks (LCEC, FP&L, Duke Energy) towing 50 trailers and two tractor-trailers carrying first responders to the island.
Additionally, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis was on the Fort Myers side of the bridge to celebrate the accomplishment at a press conference. WATCH:
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FORT MYERS, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that temporary repairs to the Sanibel Causeway will allow a one-time convoy of power restoration equipment, supplies, and crews to access Sanibel Island and continue restoration efforts. Once crews are on the island, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will resume repairs to restore access to the island for residents, which is expected to be complete by the end of this month.
The temporary repairs to the bridge will allow over 200 bucket trucks, 150 line and pickup trucks towing 50 trailers and 2 tractor trailers to move onto the island, along with additional first responders to cross the bridge and aid in recovery efforts while final road repairs are underway. This includes crews from across the state, Lee County Electric Cooperative (LCEC), Florida Power and Light and members of the Florida Electric Cooperative Association.
Last week, at Governor DeSantis’ direction, barges began to deploy to move equipment and supplies to Sanibel Island to restore power and ensure wraparound services like running water are available as quickly as possible. Barges continue to move daily to transport equipment, personnel, and supplies to support recovery operations.
Efforts to restore power to Pine Island are also underway. Last week, the Governor announced that FDOT had established a temporary bridge to Pine Island in less than three days, allowing power restoration crews to access the island and begin repairs. Led by Duke Energy and LCEC, crews have begun to clear debris, lay new lines and replace power poles. By Thursday, LCEC expects to have power restored to one quarter of Pine Island, including the Island’s center, water treatment plant substation and to centrally located grocery stores. Power is expected to be restored to one third of the island and the Matlacha area by next week. (LINK)
Damage on September 30th:
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Repairs as of 10/10/22:
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Trucks arriving 10/11/22:
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Governor DeSantis said leaders started brainstorming different ways more trucks and equipment could be brought to the island other than helicopters and barges. But in the end, different ideas weren’t necessary because the temporary causeway repairs will allow a one-time convoy to cross onto the island.
During a news conference Tuesday in Fort Myers, trucks were seen slowly driving across the bridge — beginning the journey to the island on the Sanibel Causeway.
“Ahead of schedule, it was supposed to be 3 o’clock today they thought they’d get it,” the governor said. “But we’re happy that is something that is being done.”
DeSantis explains the convoy now able to travel on Sanibel Island is a large group, including:
- 200 bucket trucks
- 150 line and pickup trucks towing 50 trailers
- Two tractor trailers
- First responders
This also includes crews from across the state, Lee County Electric Cooperative (LCEC), Florida Power and Light and members of the Florida Electric Cooperative Association.
After crews reach the island, the Florida Department of Transportation will be able to continue with repairs to restore access to the island for residents.
This isn’t the first time relief made its way to the island. DeSantis said barges were deployed last week to move equipment and supplies to the area to restore power and running water. The governor’s office says barges continue to move daily to transport equipment, personnel and supplies. [Media Link]
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis visited Fort Myers to give updates on recovery efforts and announce that temporary repairs to the Sanibel Causeway will allow a one-time convoy of power restoration equipment, supplies and crews temporary access to Sanibel Island for power restoration efforts. Once crews are on the island, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will resume repairs to restore access to the island for residents, which is expected to be complete by the end of this month. Full remarks can be found here.
There are currently 19,362 reported power outages. In Lee and Collier counties, there are only 1,000 accounts on the mainland that remain without power that can receive it. More than 42,000 linemen have already restored power to over 2.6 million accounts across the state, representing over 99% of accounts restored since the peak.
Yesterday, Governor DeSantis announced that $2.5 million in loans have been awarded to 55 businesses through the Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program to help those impacted by Hurricane Ian. Additionally, $126 million will be going to 24 communities across the Panhandle that are continuing to rebuild and strengthen after Hurricane Michael made landfall 4 years ago.
First Lady Casey DeSantis announced that the Florida Disaster Fund has raised nearly $40 million since activation. To read more info, click here. To contribute, please visit www.FloridaDisasterFund.org or text DISASTER to 20222. (read more)
Watch the short video below to see what is happening to restore power on Pine Island:
Contrast the astonishing and speedy clean up after the 2011 tsunami in Japan with the clean up in Haiti 2010 earthquake despite the huge sum of money that poured in. According to Wiki – usually not the best source – “Six months after the quake as much as 98% of the rubble remained uncleared” and years later there was still a mess.
Contast the 2017 hurricane Maria that hit Puerto Rico and the local response despite a huge amount of aid with that in Florida now. Politics and corruption are two of the biggest hurdles after a natural disaster but competent leadership and generous cooperation can make a huge difference.
The Clinton Global Initiative made tracks to Haiti and promptly scooped up much of the money – for themselves. Also, to be fair, Japan is a far more modern nation than Haiti – which also explains why they didn’t need ‘help’ from the CGI.
We love our Governor Ron DeSantis! Kudos to all those working to restore Hurricane Ian’s damage. Praying for all those affected to have their homes and businesses re-built in record time as well!
Extremely cool on several levels.
American Can Do attitude. You threw us a stumbling block, we’ll rebuild a bridge to it.
Thanks to all who are doing the heavy and small lifting to get life back to these good people.
Oil and coal which provide electricity, are the lifeblood of our country, despite what the alarmists spout.
Where there’s an American Will there’s a way. Unfortunately Brandon and all of his illegal regime have a “Globalist” will which means you will have nothing and be happy.
Yeh, but did they do it with federally-approved minority contractors and with ecologically-friendly government approved methods?
No they didn’t- that’s why it got done so quickly. 🙂
That would be a disaster compounded by a disaster.
As the acronym goes ‘DILLIGAF’. You can’t argue with results.
Retired Magistrate here: I talked to my cousin in Clear Water yesterday and he had no idea that the bridge to Pine Island and Sanibel were operable and that utility service trucks were on the island. He also had no idea that most of the power has been restored to the places where it can be restored.
He has severe health issues and is confined to his condo, does not have internet access and gets all his news from the Clear Water television stations. He told me that for about a week after Hurricane Ian it was just photos and stories about all the devastation; now nothing about the recovery. Must be election season.
I told him that I would keep him updated about what is going on in his state all courtesy of the Treehouse!
MAGA DeSantis
DeSantis mustered the sort of operation our military used to be capable of … before Barky, Brandon and Milley woke them up.
Never forget … Clinton started the military destruction.
Yup, and I will just bet he tapped a company run by a former SEABEE.
Good aerial view of the entire causeway here:
That is some serious work and some dedicated workers.
Makes me proud to know what Americans can do when the chips are down.
This is nothing short of historic!
For the first time in decades DeSantis and his leadership team have shown the liberals comfortably living in their glass towers how it’s done when the power of America is unleashed.
The most important things, those which scare the living daylights from glass tower liberals is the unleashing of the the major forces those same liberals have tried to suppress for 30 years: Well paid Blue Collar workers and enough oil and equipment.
As always, “Deplorables” are the ones making it happen during this historic tour de force! No fairy queens need apply.
Thank God for our governor! How anybody can say he isn’t moving heaven and earth to recover from this storm is beyond me but then again…
This was featured on Fox this morning, either on the couch show or the Hemmer-Perino show. Yes, they congratulated Guv Whatsits, but surprisingly first they recognized the workmen that made it all happen.
My attitude is a slight smile and a “well of course they did.”
Everybody worldwide knows those Floridians are Just Rucky
😉
His name is DeSantis.
Thank you, Stevie, much obliged. As those here who know me know names are not my strong suit, and any help is appreciated.
American construction workers….. the best in the world!
Governor DeSantis would make a great next president. Do you now agree Conservative Treehouse? He gets it done!
2028, end of discussion.
Nope … he needs to stay in Florida – do his job as promised – then run for the Presidency in 2028 – when he seasoned and ready.
It’s amazing what government can do with competent leadership.
Stand aside and watch a real leader do his thing.
I have lived through hurricanes in TX and FL, and I can say this is the best response I’ve ever seen given the severity of the damage. What is interesting here, where is FEMA?
like Kari Lake said about DeSanis. BDE
Handing out $700 checks to those that apply.
Sarcasm was intended although to be fair, it did pay for a new water line for some folks I know. Now, they just need the rest of their plumbing and their ac duct work back and ac unit, replacements for the car and golf cart lost and two storage sheds and their contents along with all the other work insurance won’t cover because it was water not wind doing most of the damage.
FEMA is still in New Orleans.
So much better than squandering the money on green energy bat guano or shipping it to Ukraine.
A governor who can mobilize and motivate an army of professionals to accomplish overwhelmingingly challenging feats in record time is a person whose vast talents need to be employed on an even bigger scale. DeSantis is proving by his actions and skills that he’s ready to be our next President.
Supply chain shortages be damned. 👊🏼
😃❤️
New nuclear reactor construction can benefit from this frame of mind. Just lift the limiting regulatory garbage.
Geoff S
Absolutely phenomenal and God help the republic.
TG for the best Governor Ron DeSantis,,,and TG I live in Paradise!!! Left NYC 12 years ago, and couldn’t be happier!!!