JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (October 20, 2022) — As Florida recovers from Hurricane Ian, crews from Florida-based heavy civil contractor Superior Construction are working around the clock to rebuild the Sanibel Causeway. On Wednesday, October 19, they completed temporary repairs allowing the causeway to be reopened to residents more than a week ahead of schedule.

Superior, in a joint venture with The de Moya Group, has worked collaboratively with Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) staff to restore this vital infrastructure link. Collectively, the team has worked more than 36,000 workforce hours to bring residents back to Sanibel Island in just 15 days. Now, its crews will shift focus to long-term repairs needed to stabilize the bridge and allow permanent and unlimited access to the island. These repairs are necessary to rebuild the community so local businesses can thrive once more, as the island’s economy heavily relies on tourism. 

“Hurricane Ian devastated Lee County, and it’s now our privilege to rebuild a crucial piece of infrastructure for our fellow Floridians and neighbors. It’s not a task we take lightly,” said Superior CEO Nick Largura.

According to FDOT, completing the temporary repairs required:

• More than a hundred crews
• 70 pieces of heavy equipment
• Four barges, five boats and two dredges
• Seven cranes
• Dive teams with underwater survey equipment
• 8,200 loads of fill dirt
• 2,400 loads of rocks
• 4,000 tons of asphalt 

This work will tie into the permanent repairs Superior will now undertake as it continues long-term efforts to restore the Sanibel Causeway.