Sandbag repair work shuts down part of Casey Key Road

NOKOMIS (WWSB) - These sandbags known as trap bags have been taking a beating on Casey Key since being installed about a year ago. Work to repair the sandbags got underway Monday, shutting down Casey Key Road in the 2100 block.

“We’re protecting the county infrastructure, there’s a roadway and a water main that runs there and the sandbags are doing a good job to protect that,” said Spencer Anderson, Public Works Director for Sarasota County. "That’s before we put a full permanent measure in place within the next couple of years.

Some people who live on Casey Key Road say they are happy the county is doing this work. Residents tell us the erosion could possibly not only affect the road and the water main but also their homes. Vijay Kanwar has lived on Casey Key Road for the last eight years. He has some big concerns for his neighborhood.

“If you look at the north side of Casey Key and what’s happening across the bend where the work is going on, I am not an engineer in this area but I have a feeling that the road will cave in because the water is right on the road and I think the road will cave in very soon,” said Kanwar.

Kanwar also tells us when the road is closed it’s inconvenient because than he and others are only able to take one road off the island instead of two. The county says this temporary solution has been working well. There are two locations on Casey Key Road where they have active work protecting the infrastructure, this area and north of here.

“We appreciate the public’s patience to allow us to get our work done in a safe environment for county employees, and we hope to be out of there as soon as we can,” said Anderson.

Sarasota County officials tell us the work here is expected to be completed by sometime Friday night, but they’re hopeful it’ll be finished even sooner.

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