JACKSONVILLE, FL — The Sanibel Causeway reconstruction has won the Design-Build Institute of America’s (DBIA) Florida Region’s Best Overall Project of the Year award, along with the Transportation/Roadway Project of the Year award.
The recognition highlights how Florida-based contractors Superior Construction and The de Moya Group responded to one of the state’s most critical infrastructure emergencies following Hurricane Ian in September 2022.
“Florida contractors know what hurricanes can do to our communities,” said Toby Mazzoni, Area Manager at Superior Construction. “We live and work here, so we build for the long haul, especially when our neighbors are counting on us most.”
The $328 million reconstruction marked the Florida Department of Transportation‘s (FDOT) first emergency phased design-build contract. Rather than waiting for design completion, this innovative approach allowed the Superior-de Moya Joint Venture to execute emergency repairs and permanent reconstruction simultaneously, eliminating temporary fixes and accelerating the timeline.
When Hurricane Ian severed the only access to Sanibel and Captiva islands, stranding more than 6,400 residents, the joint venture formed within 24 hours. The team restored emergency access in just one week and completed the permanent 3-mile causeway reconstruction two years ahead of FDOT’s original schedule.
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The rebuilt causeway sets a new standard for Florida’s coastal infrastructure. Enhanced features include:
- Steel sheet pile wall systems with nearly 750,000 square feet of coverage
- 127,996 tons of strategically placed armor stone
- Elevated seawalls and advanced stormwater drainage systems
- Infrastructure designed to withstand Category 5 hurricanes
That was put to the test during Florida’s active 2024 hurricane season. When Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton struck the reconstruction site, completed sections withstood the impacts while unprotected areas required repairs.
The accelerated timeline delivered critical benefits to Lee County‘s tourism-dependent economy. The rapid restoration allowed Sanibel and Captiva businesses to reopen and tourists to return months ahead of projections, preserving thousands of jobs and billions in property values across southwest Florida.
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The project’s resilient design ensures emergency services can reliably reach the islands during future storms, providing long-term security for residents and people who work in the region’s vital tourism industry.
The Sanibel Causeway reconstruction has also earned national recognition from DBIA, receiving the Merit Award in Transportation, the Award of Excellence in Transportation, and the Chairs Award, selected by DBIA’s national chairperson as the best overall project.
