New Pine Island Temporary Bridge Is Reportedly Complete

FDOT

This is absolutely incredible. The idea that Pine Island will be connected again via a temporary bridge by next Monday is just staggering. What's even more, it looks like they're ahead of schedule. If you're unfamiliar with the condition of the road after the hurricane, NBC2 provided this video showing the scope of the damage:

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(image courtesy of Mickey Franklin)

So how are they going to fix Pine Island Road by Monday?

24/7 work. And a lot of trucks.

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Convoys of trucks have been spotted in the are bringing truckload after truckload of dirt and materials to the construction site. Now, the road may not be pretty, but it will be a lifeline to those living on Pine Island and those communities.

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It's Tuesday October 4th at 4pm. The facebook group "Things To Do On Pine Island" is reporting that the island's road is now connected.

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People are not currently allowed to use the road, the primary initial use will be for electrical and infrastructure trucks. They've posted a picture of what looks to be trucks finishing up the road this afternoon. So if trucks are already driving on the road, they should easily make their goal of residents and first responders vehicle access by this weekend. Absolutely incredible work.

Pictures Of Fort Myers Beach In The Aftermath Of Hurricane Ian

Fort Myers Beach is absolutely destroyed. Our entire Southwest Florida area is reeling from Hurricane Ian. Most of us are without power and internet. We have limited cell and text messaging available. Many of you reading this are from outside of our area, so if can help:

How To Help Those Impacted By Hurricane Ian

We are currently live and taking phone calls and texts 98.1 FM, 106.3 FM, and 96.1 FM. You can also steam via the B103.9, 96K-Rock, ESPNSWFL, and Sunny1063 apps. To hear the broadcast in Spanish, tune to 99.3 fm or via the Playa99.3 app.

Hurricane Ian made landfall near Cayo Costa, an island off the coast of Fort Myers, just after 3 p.m. on Wednesday. With Ian, came 150 mph winds, the fifth-strongest hurricane to make landfall in the U.S. According to ABC News, "Ian then made a second landfall 90 minutes later, still as a Category 4 storm with 145 mph winds, just south of Punta Gorda, near Pirate Harbor."

While the efforts to restore Fort Myers Beach will be a years long recovery, our whole area is suffering greatly. The causeway to Sanibel collapsed and the docks sustained heavy damage, making the island only accessible by helicopter. There's some areas where we don't even know yet the extent of the damage.

We will rebuild. But this is going to take a long time.

Hurricane Ian Slams Into West Coast Of Florida

FORT MYERS BEACH,FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 29: In an aerial view, a damaged Fort Myers Beach pier and surrounding buildings are seen after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022 in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)