FORT MYERS Phase 2: $1 billion RSW expansion project begins The Lee County Port Authority will begin Southwest Florida International Airport’s Terminal Expansion Phase 2, a more than $1 billion project.
PUNTA GORDA Sen. Rick Scott to survey damage in Charlotte County Florida Sen. Rick Scott is set to visit Charlotte County, receive a briefing on Hurricane Helene, and survey the damage.
The Weather Authority The Weather Authority: Scattered rain and storms return for your Tuesday The Weather Authority is tracking rain and storms throughout this Tuesday afternoon and into your evening commute.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda man dies after fire is sparked by Helene’s flooding Hurricane Helene was not kind to Charlotte County, and on Monday night, people are picking up the pieces and grieving the loss of a neighbor.
SANIBEL Sanibel businesses work to recover after Helene There’s no “Going back to normal” on Sanibel after Ian, but Helene isn’t stopping people as they work towards a “New normal.”
MATLACHA Sisters fly to Matlacha to help father rebuild after Hurricane Helene’s destruction Hurricane Helene has affected people not just in southwest Florida but also people across the country.
Recovery efforts at Sugar Sand Beach RV Resort Almost everyone on Matlacha and Pine Island is focused on the same thing: Recovery.
MANASOTA KEY Cleaning up Manasota Key after Helene Hurricane Helene caused severe flooding that seemed to spare no one on Manasota Key. Two families share their cleanup stories with WINK News.
PUNTA GORDA Historic District in Punta Gorda recovering after Helene So much of Southwest Florida continues to recover in the aftermath of Helene, especially in areas on the coast.
Florida Blue and NCH reach an agreement Naples Comprehensive Health (NCH) and Florida Blue have until midnight on Monday to reach a deal on a new contract.
Fort Myers Beach cleans up after Helene For many, Fort Myers Beach has been the epicenter of hope and recovery after Ian. Now people are looking back at the island town again after Hurricane Helene.
NORTH PORT New details emerge confirming state investigation into Heritage Insurance WINK News is breaking new details on a criminal investigation into an insurance company where customers claim they were left with wrecked homes after Ian and no money to rebuild.
LABELLE Linemen get superhero sendoff as they help with Helene recovery Local linemen get superhero sendoff as they head North to help with Helene recovery efforts in other states
FORT MYERS Man arrested after Fort Myers police confiscate nearly $1M and almost 700g of fentanyl The Fort Myers police department has arrested a man in connection with a large-scale drug operation.
PORT CHARLOTTE Animal shelter in Charlotte Harbor devastated by Helene is seeking support Dogs looking for homes have had their temporary home taken away by the storm surge of Hurricane Helene.
FORT MYERS Phase 2: $1 billion RSW expansion project begins The Lee County Port Authority will begin Southwest Florida International Airport’s Terminal Expansion Phase 2, a more than $1 billion project.
PUNTA GORDA Sen. Rick Scott to survey damage in Charlotte County Florida Sen. Rick Scott is set to visit Charlotte County, receive a briefing on Hurricane Helene, and survey the damage.
The Weather Authority The Weather Authority: Scattered rain and storms return for your Tuesday The Weather Authority is tracking rain and storms throughout this Tuesday afternoon and into your evening commute.
PUNTA GORDA Punta Gorda man dies after fire is sparked by Helene’s flooding Hurricane Helene was not kind to Charlotte County, and on Monday night, people are picking up the pieces and grieving the loss of a neighbor.
SANIBEL Sanibel businesses work to recover after Helene There’s no “Going back to normal” on Sanibel after Ian, but Helene isn’t stopping people as they work towards a “New normal.”
MATLACHA Sisters fly to Matlacha to help father rebuild after Hurricane Helene’s destruction Hurricane Helene has affected people not just in southwest Florida but also people across the country.
Recovery efforts at Sugar Sand Beach RV Resort Almost everyone on Matlacha and Pine Island is focused on the same thing: Recovery.
MANASOTA KEY Cleaning up Manasota Key after Helene Hurricane Helene caused severe flooding that seemed to spare no one on Manasota Key. Two families share their cleanup stories with WINK News.
PUNTA GORDA Historic District in Punta Gorda recovering after Helene So much of Southwest Florida continues to recover in the aftermath of Helene, especially in areas on the coast.
Florida Blue and NCH reach an agreement Naples Comprehensive Health (NCH) and Florida Blue have until midnight on Monday to reach a deal on a new contract.
Fort Myers Beach cleans up after Helene For many, Fort Myers Beach has been the epicenter of hope and recovery after Ian. Now people are looking back at the island town again after Hurricane Helene.
NORTH PORT New details emerge confirming state investigation into Heritage Insurance WINK News is breaking new details on a criminal investigation into an insurance company where customers claim they were left with wrecked homes after Ian and no money to rebuild.
LABELLE Linemen get superhero sendoff as they help with Helene recovery Local linemen get superhero sendoff as they head North to help with Helene recovery efforts in other states
FORT MYERS Man arrested after Fort Myers police confiscate nearly $1M and almost 700g of fentanyl The Fort Myers police department has arrested a man in connection with a large-scale drug operation.
PORT CHARLOTTE Animal shelter in Charlotte Harbor devastated by Helene is seeking support Dogs looking for homes have had their temporary home taken away by the storm surge of Hurricane Helene.
Hundreds of thousands of people drive across bridges in Southwest Florida every day but how many of those bridges meet modern safety standards? And how often is it due for repair? WINK News investigates how the state of Florida inspects each bridge for safety and reveals how Florida bridges compare to the rest of the country. David Kus has been fishing on a pier right next to the El Jobean Bridge in Charlotte County for about 20 years, which means thousands of trips across the bridge itself. “Oh wow, it’s almost a daily thing,” he said, “Probably at least five days a week.” According to state records, the bridge was constructed back in 1959, the same year Alaska was admitted as the 49th state. Making it one of the oldest bridges in the area. The state rates bridges in three categories; good, functionally obsolete, and structurally deficient. While Kus said, “it’s good looking from here!” The El Jobean Bridge is rated “functionally obsolete” since it’s not up to modern standards. This could be due to not meeting various requirements such as lanes are narrow, the shoulder is small or the vertical clearance is a bit low. But the documents don’t show the specifics. Jim Jacobsen with the Florida Department of Transportation says, “It’s still rated in good condition. It’s still doing its job,” and that those bridges are still safe to use. “All it means is, the bridge was built at a time when the current design standards were different than now. It’s still safe, it’s still useable.” Most of the bridges in Southwest Florida are rated good, like the one over the Hermosa Canal in Cape Coral, for example, which was originally built in 1972. It was widened just last year for improved safety. FDOT says 97% of Florida bridges achieve the ‘good’ rating. “The inspectors look from top to bottom, end to end,” Jacobsen explained. “If there’s any changes or deterioration, that’s documented and repairs are planned.” The lowest of the three ratings a bridge can get in Florida is “structurally deficient.” One Cape Coral bridge over the Lido Canal is just one of 11 structurally deficient bridges in Lee County, and one of 19 across all of Southwest Florida. That means it needs to be repaired or replaced in the next six years. There are four structurally deficient bridges in Collier County, two in DeSoto County and two in Hendry County. “We have a repair project planned. If it’s at the end of its service life, it may be determined it’s better to replace instead of putting more money into it,” Jacobsen added. According to federal data, Florida bridges have the 9th highest percentage of structurally deficient bridges compared to the rest of the country. FDOT says rugged weather and the number of bridges over saltwater create challenges, which can affect its lifespan. And officials want drivers to know if the bridge is open, no matter what the rating, it’s safe to drive on. “The bridge is safe,” Jacobsen reiterated. “If it ever changes where we feel the ratings are dropping, it would be closed.” Every bridge and overpass in Southwest Florida has been inspected within the last two years. If a bridge is found unsafe, it’s immediately shut down for repair.