by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino
During the February 2024, City Council meeting, City Manager Dana Souza provided the City Council with an update on traffic congestion that was impacting the island during the afternoon hours as motorists exited the island. Souza proposed obtaining a proposal to conduct an Intersection Evaluation and Study for the intersection of Periwinkle Way, Lindgren Blvd., and Causeway Blvd.
Kimley Horn and Associates’ proposal will include traffic counts, turning movement counts, review of past intersection study recommendations, and an analysis of the Sanibel Causeway (capacity). Kimley Horn will develop two alternative concepts that will improve traffic flow at the intersection. These concepts will be presented to the Planning Commission and the City Council to determine which of the preferred alternatives will be modeled utilizing 3-D modeling software.
City Council unanimously approved the proposal, which has a cost of $164,465, and the data collection process will begin immediately.
In other vehicle-related news, boat ramp parking has become something of an issue since Hurricane Ian. Parking permits for residents are sold ($113) as well as for non-residents ($399). In previous years, approximately 250 resident permits were sold and between 30 and 50 non-resident permits were sold. This year to date, 213 resident permits were sold, and 140 non-resident permits were sold.
Before long, it’s conceivable the non-resident number will equal or exceed the resident number. “If all the non-residents arrive on one day, we would not have enough spaces,” said City Manager Dana Souza. “People are willing to take the tickets.”
Souza made some suggestions to improve the situation. Towing is not an option to solve this problem. Tow companies don’t want to tow a vehicle with a trailer.
One option is to make spaces for residents; another, to stop selling non-resident passes for the rest of the year; yet another, to increase the fine to $500.
Council decided to mark 10 spots for residents and to increase the fine to $500 and instructed Souza to implement these “with all due haste,” said Mayor Richard Johnson.
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