by SC Reporter Meghan Kalenborn
The 25 miles of Shared Use Path (SUP) that occupies Sanibel is almost as important to the infrastructure of our Island as the roads. For a place that is 12 miles long and two miles wide, it is imperative the path is kept in good condition both for the citizens of Sanibel, and tourists coming to the Island.
Council approved a $298,756 budget for the project to restore the path. This project was awarded to Bateman contracting. The $150,000 will come from the transportation fund and the remaining $148,756 will come from the beach parking fund.
Work on the annual repair project will begin over the summer. The exact date will depend on the contractor’s availability but will most likely start in July or August. Construction on these types of projects typically takes about 30 days and work will start at various locations around the SUP system.
Oisin Dolley is the Assistant City Engineer for Sanibel and he spoke about what to expect of the upcoming project.
Dolley talked about what people on the Island might encounter during this time; “Users of the SUP may encounter some delays in specific areas while work is underway. Our contractor will have MOT operations to ensure that there is a safe alternate route for users,” Dolley said.
“Bikers will be required to walk bikes through the work zone,” he said. “This will be limited to areas where work is actively underway. There will be adequate signage and cones around any areas that are unsafe until final restoration work is complete.”
Like the road resurfacing project, the shared use path is supposed to be updated and maintained every year. But, with budget concerns at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the path has not seen maintenance for two years. This of course poses a safety threat. Large cracks and uprooted tree roots make for hazardous conditions for riders and walkers.
“Due to the cancelation of projects over the last two years, as expected there is some additional work in this project compared to a normal annual project,” said Dolley. “The city is completing repairs of all areas that were identified during staff inspection as needing maintenance work.”
With the talks of the Shared Use Path being expanded coming to fruition, it is important the already existing paths are kept up to the best of its ability.