SC Staff Report
The number of vehicles traveling through the Sanibel Causeway toll booth was down in June compared to the same month last year, according to a report provided to the City of Sanibel by Lee County which owns and operates the bridge.
The report showed traffic decreased by nearly 2 percent or a difference of 4,840 vehicles versus June 2019. While traffic to the island has increased over the past three months, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect island traffic. Year-to-date traffic is 18 percent below the same period last year, according to the report.
April has been the slowest month since the city declared a local state of emergency in March due to the health crisis. Traffic declined by nearly 61 percent compared to April 2019. The report showed 123,130 vehicles crossed the bridge that month, which is 6,500 less than September 2017 when Hurricane Irma passed the islands and the toll count was suspended for 13 days.
The report is part of the City Council agenda for its meeting at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18 at City Hall, 800 Dunlop Rd. It’s the same day as the primary election in which Mayor Kevin Ruane and Councilman Jason Maughan are running for county and state offices respectively. They have resigned from council effective in November.
Vice Mayor Mick Denham will propose a timeline that includes having a list of candidates and setting up interviews in September then discussing results the following month and swearing in the new members in December, as well as selecting a mayor and vice mayor. The appointees, mayor and vice mayor will serve until the city’s election in March 2021.
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