Another Hurricane Ian recovery milestone: Popular Fort Myers boat ramp reopening today
But Hurricane Ian wasn't normal and the historic storm was a big deal when it slammed the Southwest Florida coast almost three years ago on Sept. 28, 2022.
More: It's been a minute! Sanibel's popular Causeway Islands Park open to public again
The recovery steps from the damage caused by Ian has been similar to reaching milestones as each day has passed since the storm hit. Today (Aug. 21) is another chance to celebrate the ongoing comeback when the Punta Rassa Boat Ramp in Fort Myers will open for public (boaters) use at noon.
What is being termed a "soft launch" by Lee County officials − there is still some work needed on the ramp before it's 100% back to where it was before Ian − will start with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m.
Lee County Commissioners, Lee County staff, Florida Department of Transportation officials and others are expected to attend the ceremony at the restored boat ramp located at 15001 Punta Rassa Road.
The public is welcome to the ceremony.
Punta Rassa Boat Ramp: What to know
According to a press release from Lee County, the boat ramp will open with limited amenities, including the ramp, partial docks, parking and restrooms. Work will continue at the site in the coming months.
Future improvements include:
Completed dock access
A fish cleaning station
Landscaping and additional lighting.
Signs and buffers will be in place during this process. Boaters are asked to stay off docks that remain under construction and refrain from climbing on the riprap along the Causeway. Lee County Parks & Recreation will have staff and rangers on site.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony will also mark for the conclusion of the Florida Department of Transportation's Sanibel Causeway Emergency Restoration project.
This is the first time since Hurricane Ian that boaters have been able to access the Punta Rassa ramp. In partnership with FDOT, the Punta Rassa Boat Ramp served as a staging site for permanent Sanibel Causeway repairs and was pivotal in the restoration of this arterial road connecting barrier islands to the mainland.
The soft reopening of this site marks the completion of a major step forward in long-term recovery, the press release said.
How to watch the ceremony if you can't go
Those unable to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony can watch it via livestream on Lee County's YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@LeeCountyFLBOCC/videos or on Lee County's Facebook channel, www.facebook.com/leecountyflbocc.
Boaters are encouraged to follow progress at the site and others by using Lee County Parks Project Information Tool at www.leegov.com/parks. The Project Information Tool gives updates on design, construction and completion of projects. Information about FDOT's Sanibel Causeway Emergency Restoration Project is available at www.swflroads.com/SanibelCauseway.
The event will air online via livestream on Lee County Government's official Facebook and YouTube channels.
Watch at:
www.facebook.com/LeeCountyFLBOCC
www.youtube.com/@LeeCountyFLBOCC
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Is the Punta Rassa Boat Ramp near Sanibel Island, Florida open?
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