Troubled bridge
In order to travel the only road to the Sanibel Islands, the 5,700 year-round residents must now pay a two-way $6 toll. Profits from the increased toll will go toward funding necessary repairs to the Sanibel Causeway, a project many of Sanibel’s citizens argue is a big waste.
One large opposition to the project, the non-profit Save Our Bay, vehemently protests the higher tolls and the $108-million cost, and claims not all the toll money is being directed to the repairs. To ensure the money is used correctly, Save Our Bay and the city of Sanibel have unsuccessfully sued Lee County three times.
Despite the lawsuits’ dismissals, Save Our Bay president, Marie Gargano, has vowed to take the case to the Florida Supreme Court if necessary.
On the flipside, County Commissioner Bob Janes, an island resident since 1975, backs the increased toll. In a letter to citizens, Janes argued that the opinions of Save Our Bay are the same ones the opposition had to the construction of the Causeway in the 1960s.
The first repairs are scheduled to begin March 2006, but it seems only time will tell for this troubled bridge.