Repairs from Hurricane Ian on Sanibel Causeway Complete

In September 2022, Hurricane Ian devasted the lifeline between the Sanibel Island and mainland Florida. After $328 million, the Superior-de Moya Joint Enterprise staff have introduced the restoration undertaking of the Sanibel Causeway has been accomplished. The work re-establishes and fortifies the essential 3-mile stretch. 

The rebuilt causeway now options dramatically enhanced storm resilience, together with:

• Metal sheet pile wall programs: Almost 750,000 sq. ft. (26,200,750 lbs.), together with a king pile wall system, with lengths various from 20 to 70 ft.
• Concrete caps: Roughly 19,750 linear toes complete (4,930 ft. of retaining wall concrete caps; 8,460 ft. of island wall concrete caps; and 6,360 ft. of sea wall concrete caps)
• 127,996 tons of strategically positioned armor stone
• Elevated seawalls from 5 to eight ft.
• Superior stormwater drainage programs all through the causeway
• 19,500 tons of asphalt pavement positioned
• Revolutionary scour prevention system using 25,225 sq. yards of gabion marine mattress; 79,000 tons of coastal rip rap and bedding stone
• 6,900 linear toes of varied everlasting roadway concrete limitations
• 25,000 sq. toes of fractured fin concrete fascia

Superior Building

“What makes this undertaking particular is that we have given this neighborhood infrastructure they’ll depend on by way of no matter comes subsequent,” stated Toby Mazzoni, Venture Supervisor at Superior Building. “We construct for the lengthy haul, particularly when communities are relying on us most.”

Learn Extra: How Sanibel Causeway Reopened Much less Than a Month After Hurricane Ian

Superior BuildingFrom the discharge:

When Hurricane Ian destroyed the causeway in 2022, Sanibel and Captiva Islands had been fully lower off, paralyzing the tourism-dependent economic system and leaving residents stranded. The emergency response staff restored short-term entry in simply 15 days, enabling first responders to achieve the islands and permitting residents to start restoration efforts.

The undertaking marked the Florida Division of Transportation’s first phased design-build contract and highlighted the JV staff’s progressive method, enabling emergency and everlasting repairs to start out whereas the design was nonetheless in improvement. The JV staff efficiently navigated complicated logistics whereas sustaining visitors circulation all through building. 

Superior Building“The Joint Enterprise staff overcame this undertaking’s logistical challenges with tenacity,” stated Superior Building CEO Nick Largura. “Constructing 5 seawalls in the course of the hurricane season, railing in high-quality armor stone supplies from Alabama and Georgia quarries, and bettering resilience, whereas collaborating with a number of stakeholders on a first-of-its-kind phased design-build contract, is a monumental feat. I’m extremely happy with this staff.”  

At peak building, the JV staff coordinated a number of specialised crews concurrently: three for pile-driving, 4 for earthwork, two for storm drainage, six for rebar tying, eight for concrete placement, and three for asphalt paving, all whereas conserving two lanes of visitors open for island residents and guests.

Superior BuildingThe undertaking’s resilience was put to the check throughout building in 2024 when Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton struck Florida. Accomplished sections withstood these storms intact, whereas unfinished areas skilled washouts, offering real-world validation of the JV staff’s engineering method.

The causeway’s completion marks a big milestone in Sanibel Island’s restoration from Hurricane Ian and strengthens the neighborhood’s protection towards future storms. With this essential infrastructure restored, emergency providers can now reliably attain the island, residents have safe mainland entry, and tourism-dependent companies can totally resume operations, revitalizing the island neighborhood for generations to return.