Sanibel Causeway Emergency Repairs and Permanent Reconstruction
On September 28, 2022, Hurricane Ian hit Florida’s southwestern coast as a Category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph. Its damaging winds and catastrophic storm surge claimed more than 150 lives and caused $112 billion in damage. Ian destroyed portions of Sanibel Causeway, a 3-mile series of bridges and man-made islands, leaving some locals stranded on Sanibel and Captiva Islands.
- Emergency access restored in 7 days, resident access in 15 days
- Completed 2 years ahead of schedule and under budget
- 127,996 tons of specialized granite armor stone from Alabama and Virginia
- 750,000 square feet of steel sheet pile walls embedded 40-70 feet deep
- 26 specialized crews coordinating simultaneously
- Advanced technology: drones, GPS-guided equipment, submersible robots
May 2025 (nearly two years ahead of schedule)
Roads & Bridges
Top 10 Roads List
ENR Southeast Best Regional Project Award – Highway/Bridge Category
ENR Southeast Project of the Year Finalist
DBIA National Merit Award – Transportation Category
DBIA National Award of Excellence – Transportation Category
DBIA National Chair Award (selected by the chairperson as their best overall project)
DBIA Florida Region Best Overall Project of the Year
DBIA Florida Region Project of the Year Award – Transportation/Roadway Category
FTBA Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Utilization Achievement Award, 2024
FTBA Safety Award, 2024
AASHTO America’s Transportation Award 2023
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
From Emergency Response to Full Reconstruction
Within a day of Hurricane Ian’s landfall, Superior Construction and The de Moya Group formed a joint venture and were selected by FDOT for the state’s first phased design-build contract — a delivery model that moved directly from emergency repairs into long-term reconstruction. The team restored temporary access in just 15 days, reopening the causeway to residents on October 19, 2022, despite significant logistical hurdles. Crews operated around the clock, using creative solutions such as onsite meal preparation, boat transportation and temporary mobile housing to keep more than 100 workers supported and safe.
The Superior-de Moya Joint Venture restored emergency access to Sanibel Island in just one week, allowing a convoy of more than 400 utility vehicles to drive across the causeway.
As access was restored, the Joint Venture immediately began planning permanent reconstruction. The phased design-build approach allowed design and construction to advance in parallel, enabling the installation of new bridge approaches, steel sheet pile walls, armor stone protection and improved drainage and lighting systems. Even with a permit delay, the team met its Christmas 2023 substantial roadway deadline while maintaining two lanes of traffic. The durability of the design was validated when three hurricanes struck Florida in 2024 — completed sections remained intact while unfinished areas experienced washouts.
The team substantially completed the project in May 2025 — nearly two years ahead of schedule and under budget. Key improvements included elevated roadway segments, five seawalls with steel sheet pile walls, comprehensive scour prevention systems and extensive shoreline protection. The restored causeway reestablished a critical lifeline for Sanibel Island, and the community response reflected deep gratitude for the speed, coordination and resilience of the Joint Venture’s work.
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