Construction on the Little Pine Island Bridge in Matlacha, Fla. has been extended into spring, state officials announced, prolonging traffic congestion and business disruptions on Pine Island.

The bridge, the only route on and off Pine Island, has been under construction since June of last year.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) originally planned to complete phase one by now, which would have reopened both lanes. However, delays have pushed the timeline back, and no exact completion date has been given.

To speed up progress, FDOT has increased construction resources and added night shifts where feasible.

“We recognize the importance of completing this project as soon as possible,” said an FDOT spokesperson to Gulf Coast News. “While every effort is being made to expedite the project, safety remains our top priority.”

Despite these efforts, traffic backups continue to frustrate residents and tourists. Local business owners, including Cindee Tolliver of Trader’s Hitching Post, have felt the financial impact.

“It’s just like a punch to the gut,” said Tolliver in a statement to Gulf Coast News. “The last time I had a December this bad was 1997.”

FDOT officials addressed concerns at a recent public meeting, promising to keep business owners informed while working to minimize disruptions. However, with no firm completion date in place, many residents and business owners remain skeptical about when relief will come.

Until then, the island community must continue navigating long commutes and economic setbacks as they await the bridge’s long-overdue completion.

Source: Gulf Coast News, B1039.com