Six alternatives are being studied by the project team as part of the PD&E process. Public opinion received during the Sanibel Causeway Public Outreach Program and input from the Sanibel City Council and the Sanibel Planning Committee helped shape the development of these alternatives. The alternatives include:

• No-Build - This alternative evaluates the continued repair, maintenance and operation of the facility as it currently exists. As part of the study, an estimate of the remaining useful life of the facility is being developed.

• Rehabilitation - This alternative involves investigation of major rehabilitation as well as life-prolonging strategies such as cathodic protection and chloride extraction for the concrete bridge structures. In addition, improvements to the bascule bridge mechanical and electrical components are being addressed, as well as the protection of the causeway islands and bridge approaches.

• Low-Level Bascule - This alternative proposes rebuilding the same system of bridges and spoil islands with essentially the same navigational clearances, heights and widths. The new structure would have breakdown shoulders, a new bascule, trestle sections strong enough to withstand tidal storm surges, and be elevated above the salt spray zone. The Causeway islands would be raised or reinforced to withstand hurricane force damage. Alternative alignments left and right of the existing alignment are being evaluated.

• Tunnel - This alternative proposes construction of a tunnel between Punta Rassa and one of the causeway islands or Sanibel Island.

• Mid-Level Fixed Span - This alternative proposes a fixed span (approximately 65-ft. vertical clearance) bridge over the Okeechobee Waterway navigation channel and the possible relocation of the channel to accommodate the fixed span and marine traffic. The entire structure would be elevated above the salt spray zone and/or hurricane storm surge levels. The Causeway islands would be raised or reinforced to withstand hurricane damage.

• Mid-Level Bascule - This alternative proposes a replacement bascule bridge with a navigation clearance sufficient to allow passage of approximately 75 percent of the present waterway users without opening.

• Other Combinations - Any combination of the above alternatives may also be evaluated.

In addition to standard engineering practices and applications for the development of the alternatives, each alternative is being evaluated for feasibility and cost to include a physically separate bike path, fishing catwalk and aesthetic treatments that will complement and preserve the relaxed island ambiance.

The detailed information generated during the study is being evaluated and analyzed to determine the impacts and costs associated with the possible improvement alternatives. Based upon these results, a preferred alternative will be recommended to the County for consideration.

The goal for the project is "A Balanced Solution". A Balanced Solution is dependent upon such factors as: quality of life, environment, economics, public input and engineering.

These elements are being evaluated separately and as they relate to one another in order to formulate a recommendation for the improvements that will satisfy the project goal and the Community interests.