SANIBEL ISLAND, Fla. — All travel lanes on the Sanibel Causeway reopened this weekend, making it easier for locals to get onto the island.

Business owners said this is quite the gift, just in time for Christmas!

For the last several months, drivers have experienced bumper-to-bumper, standstill traffic as crews work tirelessly to restore the island after Hurricane Ian.

Richard Mccurry, the owner of The Sanibel Café, said his employees are victims of the hours-long traffic.

“I had one of my staff members didn’t come in because it was a two-and-a-half hour wait and so they turned away and went back home,” Mccurry said.

Finally, travelers can drive smoothly now that the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is opening all travel lanes on the Causeway.

“I’ve already been on and off the island three times this morning and did not have to wait in line,” Billy Kirkland, owner of Billy’s Bike Rentals, said. “I think it’s a great Christmas present for the merchants and the business on the island and also the vacationers that are coming to the island,” he continued.

Kirkland said visitors are going to see that Sanibel is coming back bigger and stronger than before.