LEE COUNTY, Fla. - The landscape of one of Southwest Florida's most beautiful beaches is about to be changed. An environmental restoration project starts his week at Blind Pass Beach.

Water from the Gulf of Mexico used to flow right underneath Blind Pass Bridge. Now it's filled with sand. Lee County is working on a beach re-nourishment project that will change this.

"I think it's totally awesome." says Doris Hardy. Hardy waited three years to see this project happen. "We've been working on this for a really long time, it's going to improve the estuary and areas for the wildlife. I think it's going to make a huge difference in this area of the island."

Hardy is one of several locals on Sanibel and Captiva who pushed the county to open up the Blind Pass, letting the water flow into the bays.

The last time the water flowed underneath the bridge was in the 1980's.
The reason, the wind and current have moved sand from Captiva and Sanibel Islands, eroding the beaches in the process.

"With sand coming from both directions it's just closing that pass," says Robert Neal, who is an engineer for the project. "This is just a maintenance project to keep those beaches beautiful. By opening up that pass, we're saving some sand and we're also improving the water conditions."

Neal says the sand from the pass will go to the beaches on Sanibel and Captiva, saving millions of dollars. By opening the pass, he says it will improve the habitat for turtles, crabs, and shore birds.

Hardy says, "I think even where I live on Clam Bayou we'll feel the benefit because of the whole flushing system so yeah more fish jumping, more birds more osprey...bald eagles, how can we lose?"

The project will last six months. Lee County did close down one of the beach public parking lots because of construction equipment. Beach goers may notice black piping running up and down the beach area. The county may also have to restrict boating access during part of the project. The beach re-nourishment is being paid for by the bed tax, and the State's Beach Re-nourishment fund.