I also think its something that shows a little bit ofa can-do spirit for a change., Remembrance: 'Always positive': Ian victim Glenn Scroggy loved photography and his Philadelphia Eagles, Gallery: Bonita Shores residents pick up the pieces after Hurricane Ian. Access to Sanibel is via the 3-mile-long Sanibel Causeway, which remains closed to anyone who isn't a worker or property owner. Construction of the current bridges commenced in May 2004. Bridge B's speed limit was temporarily lowered to 10 miles per hour (16km/h), and the rest of the causeway's speed limit was lowered to 20 miles per hour (32km/h). Multiple sections of a causeway connecting an island in southwestern Florida to the mainland collapsed into the Gulf of Mexico, leaving anyone who did not evacuate stranded, as Hurricane Ian left. The original Bridge A was a 26-foot (7.9m) high drawbridge. We still do not have water. Bob Raymond, mayor of Fort Myers Beach, predicted 5 years to rebuild. To best enjoy your visit to Sanibel: Avoid driving on and off the Island during these peak times The county wanted a high-span, while a number of Sanibel residents wanted another drawbridge. Sanibel officials nor FDOT replied for comment. Sanibel residents on Wednesday were able to drive to the island on the causeway from the mainland. 1:22 Sanibel city officials announced Tuesday the Florida Department of Transportation will work on the main bridge leading to the island. Since the completion of the current bridges, the islands have been operated as Causeway Islands Park by Lee County Parks and Recreation. All Rights Reserved. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Ron DeSantis announced that the bridge will be open for residents that same day, two days before itsscheduled reopening on Friday, Oct. 21. The current Bridge B was built ten feet taller than the original Bridge B to help reduce corrosion from salt spray, which was one of the major factors in the deterioration of the old bridge. Power to a school, a water plant and fire stations could be back by Thursday, Lee County Electric Cooperative said Saturday on its website. The first few sets of piling from the original bridge on the south shore remain today. Bridge C is the closest bridge to Sanibel Island, and is also the longest of the three bridges. The three-dollar toll was increased to six dollars in November 2004 to finance construction. Seeing that Santa on his ladder brought more than smiles to people around the country, it renewed the islands comeback commitment, said John Lai, president and CEO of the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much A Southwest Florida mother is pushing for more patrols at the Sanibel Causeway. "There was talk about how do we get more people back on to Sanibel," DeSantis said at a press briefing, calling the damage to the causeway "significant." After this discovery, all three of the bridges were very closely monitored, and the damaged section was braced with additional steel pilings. Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter forthe Naples Daily News and The News-Press. The replacement was completed quickly, and the causeway re-opened ahead of schedule. Discovery Company. Power restoration, debris removal and other recovery efforts will be much easier with the temporary causeway repairs, they said. The 3-mile causeway, which includes islands and over-water spans, was battered and broken by Hurricane Ian in three places. Wildfires on the island in 1955 further convinced the county to build a bridge as it would improve access to the island for firefighters. The Sanibel Causeway reopened on to Sanibel Island residents on Wednesday, October 19, 2022. The Sanibel Lighthouse was damaged by Hurricane Ian on Sept. 28, 2022, and has not been operable since the storm. Parking spaces at the beaches, however, are not yet available. They will present the ideas to the county in January, with hopes of finishing the improvement project in October of 2023. The causeway washed out by Hurricane Ian that links Sanibel Island to the Florida mainland reopened with temporary repairs on Wednesday, Gov. They had 70 pieces of heavy equipment operations daily, as well as four barges, seven cranes, two dredges, and five boats. However, a few restaurants have already reopened, including Bayfront Bistro, Yucatan Beach Stand, and Wahoo Willies Tiki Bar & Grill near Times Square, as well as Coste Island Cuisine at DiamondHead Beach Resort, which recently opened a limited number of suites. Seasonal Sanibel residents Bob and Ana Finks won the raffle, and they also got to keep the operating lever from the drawbridge's control room as part of the prize.[14]. The causeway is our lifeline. Two weeks ago, island residents were allowed to visit Sanibel by boat for the first time since the Category 4 storm made landfall September 29. The goal is to rebuild with the intent of the causeway making it through another hurricane, with structural improvements and more natural protection. Looking East from the intersection of Periwinkle Way & Lindgren Blvd. Daten ber Ihr Gert und Ihre Internetverbindung, wie Ihre IP-Adresse, Browsing- und Suchaktivitten bei der Nutzung von Yahoo Websites und -Apps. IE 11 is not supported. Upon the recent announcement that the Sanibel Causeway will reopen to all vehicles on January 2, 2023, Ill bring you up to speed on the status of tourism on my home island of Sanibel. This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: DeSantis: Sanibel Causeway reopens after Hurricane Ian's hit, 'Always positive': Ian victim Glenn Scroggy loved photography and his Philadelphia Eagles, Bonita Shores residents pick up the pieces after Hurricane Ian, DeSantis: Sanibel Causeway reopens after Hurricane Ian's hit. Most of downtown Fort Myers and Cape Coral have recovered. A procession of utility trucks and other official vehicles crossed a temporarily reconstructed Sanibel Causeway today to providing utilities and other essential needs to the hurricane-damaged island. 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The islands are referred to as Island A and Island B, and they serve as public beaches. A A. SANIBEL, Fla. The Sanibel City Council supported the decision to end the requirement for reentry passes on January 2, 2023. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Ron DeSantis said at a news conference in Fort Myers, noting 100 crews worked for some 36,000 work hours on the causeway. Bridge C's vertical clearance over its navigation channel is 26 feet (7.9m). Due to the causeway, Sanibel Island experienced major growth in the early 1970s leading to Sanibel's incorporation into Lee County's third city, which took place on November 5, 1974. Sanibel Island is now open to anyone who wants to visit. Shortly before construction was set to begin on the high-span bridge, the city filed a lawsuit against Lee County in an attempt to stop construction. It means everything to get it back, said Thompson, operations manager at his familys Lazy Flamingo restaurant. There is hope, said Cecil Pendergrass, chairman of the Lee County Commission. Blue Collar Comedy Tour: One for the Road, "Ian destroys section of Sanibel Causeway, cutting access to the island community", "The causeway linking Sanibel Island to the Florida mainland has reopened to residents", "All-electronic tolls approved for three Lee County bridges", "Administrative fees to return as Lee County bridges transition to all-electronic tolling", "New toll fees go into effect Oct. 1 for Sanibel, Cape Coral bridges", "Section of Sanibel Causeway wiped out by Hurricane Ian", "Hurricane Ian devastates SW Florida: Sanibel Causeway will need to be rebuilt, governor says", "Ian destroys part of Sanibel Causeway, cutting off access to barrier islands", "Less than 3 weeks after Ian, Sanibel Island causeway reopens", "Docked: Sanibel Causeway fishing pier put on hold, for now", List of bridges on the National Register of Historic Places in Florida, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sanibel_Causeway&oldid=1133510580, Short description is different from Wikidata, All Wikipedia articles written in American English, Infobox mapframe without OSM relation ID on Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. The current Bridge C opened for traffic on September 8, 2007, making it the last of the current spans to open. One lifelong Sanibel resident, Troy Thompson, said having the causeway back will really help the barrier island because so much recovery work remains. The Matlacha Pass Bridge, which connects Pine Island to the mainland in Cape Coral, was also destroyed by Ian. Sanibel Island residents on Wednesday were crossing the causeway for the first time since Hurricane Ian damaged the only road onto the popular Gulf Coast destination. He had come over the causeway on the day he was born. Most businesses remain closed. Utilities Department 24hr Emergency Hotline: Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. Island B includes restroom facilities on each side of the road. Durch Klicken auf Alle akzeptieren erklren Sie sich damit einverstanden, dass Yahoo und unsere Partner Ihre personenbezogenen Daten verarbeiten und Technologien wie Cookies nutzen, um personalisierte Anzeigen und Inhalte zu zeigen, zur Messung von Anzeigen und Inhalten, um mehr ber die Zielgruppe zu erfahren sowie fr die Entwicklung von Produkten. We will rebuild.. The causeway, which links Sanibel Island to the Florida mainland, is our lifeline. The 3-mile causeway was. A damaged causeway to Sanibel Island is seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022, near Sanibel Island, Fla. AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee. Expect delays: Sanibel city officials announce FDOT temporary work on Sanibel Causeway, Sanibel Causeway tolls re-start Jan. 1 for residents, workers; no word on when public allowed back, 'Everybody's ecstatic': Captiva's 'Tween Waters re-opens to all Dec. 17; the causeway Jan. 1, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Sanibel is not open to beach visitors, and the mayoral proclamation, extending Sanibels local state of emergency, prohibits non-residents from being on the beach. Klicken Sie auf Einstellungen verwalten um weitere Informationen zu erhalten und Ihre Einstellungen zu verwalten. The causeway is our lifeline, and without it we have no opportunity to get back to the island, to get back to our homes, said longtime resident Troy Thompson, who manages the Lazy Flamingo restaurants. Unlike the other two bridges, Bridge B is a low-level bridge, and has no navigation channel passing underneath. Downtown Fort Myers and areas of south Fort Myers and Cape Coral suffered from surge that came from the Caloosahatchee River. "The public should anticipate intermittent lane reductions until the permanent repairs are complete. The state had 100 crews working 36,000 work hours to complete the temporary repairs, such as road repairs, bridge analysis, roadway restorations. A number of eateries are back up and serving post-hurricane menus. Dies geschieht in Ihren Datenschutzeinstellungen. Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list. The storm killed more than 100 people in Florida, many of them in Lee County, where Sanibel and its famed seashell beaches are a top tourist destination. Further repairs were made in 1997 as rapid deterioration from overall lack of maintenance and saltwater corrosion continued. Updated: May 24, 2022 5:00 PM EDT. Both the islands of Sanibel and Captiva were cut off from the mainland United States by road. During peak season, Sanibel Island experiences daily heavy on-bound traffic congestion from 8 a.m. to noon and heavy off-bound traffic between 2:30 and 6:30 p.m. On a weekly basis during peak season, traffic volumes are the lightest on Sundays. During the Sanibel City Councils meeting on December 20, Mayor Holly Smith said the reopening of the causeway isnt for tourists and reminded the public of the following: Administration at the J.N. Crews do predict they will have power for 25% of customers this week, which includes fire stations, the elementary school and portions of neighbors in Sanibel and Captiva. Vacation rental agencies have also reopened their offices and offerings on Captiva Island. Looking West from the intersection of Periwinkle Way & Lindgren Blvd. The Sanibel Causeway was damaged in five different areas when Hurricane Ian made landfall in Southwest Florida on September 28. Lee County determined that the 48-foot (15m) deck section needed to be completely replaced as soon as possible. A temporary 10-ton weight limit was put in place. The entire causeway facility is owned by Lee County and operated by the Lee County Department of Transportation. An official grand-opening ceremony for the current bridges was held on September 8, 2007, which was the day the current Bridge C opened (even though the current Bridges A and B opened prior to September 8). Pink Shell Beach Resort, too, has a limited availability of guest rooms for displaced residents and others. The causeway's islands were dredged from the San Carlos Bay when the original bridges were built. A curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. remains in effect for the island. Did you encounter any technical issues? Well also explore Sanibels sister island, Captiva, and nearby Fort Myers Beach, which suffered more devastation than Sanibel over $90 million in total damages by some estimates. Beaches and beach parks, including the Sanibel Lighthouse, remain closed. Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie said the state still has 300 debris management sites open and will still be removing debris from impacted areas, like Sanibel. The Sanibel Causeway will reopen to civilian traffic on Wednesday, three weeks after Hurricane Ian slammed into Florida's southwestern coast and destroyed portions of the vital link between Sanibel Island and the mainland. They just have to rebuild it, make it look pretty, said Roy Massey, owner of Ace Performer. Lee County -- home to Fort Myers and the barrier islands Sanibel and Pine -- was especially hard-hit by the powerful Category 4 storm. City officials said the hurricane broke away one of the lighthouse legs, which was replaced with a temporary wooden support. The current Bridge B opened for traffic on April 11, 2007, making it the first of the current spans to open. Starting at 11 a.m. Wednesday, residents can head to the causeway and make the journey back to their property for the first time since Hurricane Ian's hit on Sept. 28. ET) Two Dead On Sanibel Island T wo people are confirmed dead on Sanibel Island, according to a briefing from the city earlier this evening. advancements, How to kick those late-night food cravings, 6 Amazon travel favorites for your next big getaway, TODAY walking group friends meet in person for first time. Sanibel residents on Wednesday were able to drive to the island on the causeway from the mainland. Sanibel Island is home to about 6,300 people. The Sanibel Shell show is the preeminent shell show in the United States and possibly the world. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing. The bridge previously holding this record was the nearby Matanzas Pass Bridge, which is 65 feet (20m) tall. The causeway was significantly damaged by the Category 4 storm. Ron DeSantis announced the opening of the causeway the only road pathway to the island at a news conference in Fort Myers on Tuesday. About 25% of Sanibel Island should have power back this week, while northern parts of neighboring Captiva Island may not get power restored until November, the governor said. Before Ians nasty swipe, Fort Myers Beach was preparing for what its chamber of commerce was celebrating as a renaissance. Besides an ongoing revitalization of its Times Square core, from the gulf-front Fort Myers Beach Pier to newly redeveloped Bayside Park, a new Margaritaville Beach Resort was scheduled to open by September 2023. Its too soon to speculate on any aesthetics and amenities that may come next, said a Lee County spokesperson. Older condos have the means to rebuild and the island maintains its . As a result, Lee County briefly proposed the idea of replacing the bridges with a single four-lane high-span bridge. The temporarily repaired Sanibel Island Causeway in late October 2022, Slow recovery from Hurricane Ian continues on Sanibel Island. Sanibel Causeway reopens after being damaged by Hurricane Ian, Hurricane Ian destroys portion of Sanibel Causeway, cutting off island. Check the City of Sanibel website for real time street cams and traffic updates. The City of Sanibel will officially relight the Sanibel Lighthouse tomorrow, February 28, 2023, at 6 am. An 11 a.m. opening of the "rebuilt" causeway that links the island and the mainland was announced by Gov. We want to inspire you to explore new destinations, discover new experiences and savor the journey. A Warner Bros. Bridge A, with Bridges B and C in the background. As the islands of Sanibel and Captiva continue to make progress after Ian, check out these articles: A Florida island girl at heart, Chelle has written about travel and food for hundreds of publications and websites. Joined by other local and state leaders, DeSantis spoke of how his team jumped into actions with the Florida Department of Transportation to develop a plan to get Sanibel repaired and get residents back on the island. He grew up windsurfing, canoeing, and kayaking along the causeway. Copyright 2023 Waterman Broadcasting of Florida, LLC, Major changes possible for Sanibel Causeway in proposed plan, The Sanibel Lighthouse relit after being damaged by Hurricane Ian, How Ian is impacting the high-end real estate market on Sanibel, Captiva, Fort Myers Beach real estate market not slowing down despite Hurricane Ian damage, Georgia Football star DT Jalen Carter charged with racing in fatal accident, Iconic Fort Myers Beach breakfast spot vows to rebuild, Eli Lilly to cut insulin prices, cap costs at $35 for many people with diabetes, Teen to be tried as adult following fatal DeSoto County Fair shooting. The causeway consists of three separate two-lane bridge spans, and two-man-made causeway islands between them. "While general maintenance may cause intermittent lane closures, this past weeks lane closures were due to FDOTs activities supporting efforts for permanent repairs," Patricia Pichette, FDOT spokesperson, wrote in a statement. Weve been stranded in town for three weeks now and it means everything to get back.. Ron DeSantis announced Wednesday morning that the causeway would reopen to residents of Lee County following temporary repairs. Former congressman and CIA director Porter Goss served as Sanibel's first mayor. [8] The motorcycle discount plans were removed as part of the plan for a permanent transition to All-Electronic Tolling. Similar to Bridge B, the current Bridge C was also constructed ten feet taller than the original bridge. Guthrie also said barge missions will be continuing as the bridge reopens, ensuring that all personnel and resources can continue their work. Construction on the entire causeway and the three original bridges lasted 15 months and cost $2.73million. Since Hurricane Ian hit with a vengeance, recovery on Sanibel Island, Florida, has progressed with the speed of the near-category-5 winds that decimated it on September 28, 2022. Islanders rejoiced on October 19 the Sanibel Causeway was opened! 2023 Cable News Network. The islands have always been a popular area among beachgoers for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Our goal, to share the worlds unique, hidden and once in a lifetime locations with you to create unforgettable memories. The causeway, which comprises three bridges and road over two tiny man-made islands, opened weeks earlier than first predicted and two days earlier than recent forecasts. Then, the causeway will be open to all, not only those with hurricane re-entry passes. In this image posted to the Facebook account of Governor Ron DeSantis, the newly reopened causeway is shown leading to Sanibel Island from Fort Myers, Fla., on Oct. 19, 2022. Julie Emig who returned to Sanibel with her wife, Vicki Paskaly, on October 5 told CNN that day they couldnt believe the destruction. North Captiva will take longer, hecautioned, because the underground electrical grid has been destroyed, although he said November restoration is expected. Both series begin from the mainland side. SANIBEL ISLAND, Fla. The Sanibel Causeway has been temporarily fixed. Sanibel city officials on Thursday afternoon alerted of a crash on the Sanibel Causeway. A temporary bridge restoring access to Pine Island opened to the public earlier this month. During peak season, Sanibel Island experiences daily heavy on-bound traffic congestion from 8 a.m. to noon and heavy off-bound traffic between 2:30 and 6:30 p.m. Register with AlertLee for Emergency Announcements, Register for Recreation Center Activities, City of Sanibel Demographics - April 27, 2021, Commercial Hurricane Re-Entry Application. After Hurricane Ian hit Sanibel and Captiva islands with category-four fierceness on September 28, some predicted it would be 6 months before the bridge to the islands from mainland Fort Myers, Florida, would be mended. Other residents in attendance like Troy Thompson, a restaurateur and operations manager of the islands Lazy Flamingo group,called these repairs a "monumental step" for the island. Despite the campaign initially succeeding, plans to install new deck sections on top of the pilings for the pier were scrapped in early 2010 due to budget cuts.[15]. According to a news release from the city, the Lee County Sheriff's Office reported the crash on the. For vehicles entering Sanibel Island only (westbound): May 26, 1963 (original causeway & bridges), $9 for all vehicles without a SunPass/interoperable transponder (Toll-By-Plate), This page was last edited on 14 January 2023, at 04:28. Pichette said lane reductions on the causeway may be necessary from time to time, adding that they plan to maintain access on the causeway at all times by using flagging operations coordinated with city and county officials. I think its great for the residents here to be able to get back, DeSantis said. On Thursday night, dozens of people remained stranded, according to Sanibel Mayor Holly Smith. 13. 20, 2022, Hurricane Ian exposed a flood insurance nightmare for homeowners in Florida. Less than 3 weeks after Ian, Sanibel Island causeway reopens, Save on costly dcor trends with these DIY design tricks, Camila Morrone talks Daisy Jones & the Six, Bringing photos to life and other mind-blowing A.I. On August 13, 2004, the area was struck by Hurricane Charley, a Category 4 hurricane. FILE - Cars and debris from washed away homes line a canal in Fort Myers Beach, Fla., Oct. 5, 2022, one week after the passage of Hurricane Ian. Fort Myers Beach opened its bridges relatively early in the recovery game, but non-residents must cross back over the bridges by 8 p.m. Beach access is open to foot travel, and the town and residents have been working steadily to clear the sand of debris. Bridge A is the bridge closest to the mainland at Punta Rassa. SANIBEL, Fla. On Monday, Governor Ron DeSantis made it clear that the wait to get back onto the Sanibel Causeway would not be long. Florida Gov. Notice: The City of Sanibel's street camera system was destroyed in Hurricane Ian and will be down for repairs until further notice. Florida Transportation Department Secretary Jared Perdue said the bridges were mostly undamaged but some portions of the causeway that connect bridge structures had been washed away.. Related'Everybody's ecstatic': Captiva's 'Tween Waters re-opens to all Dec. 17; the causeway Jan. 1. "The causeway is our lifeline,. In the meantime, however, a number of businesses that reopened on Sanibel and Captiva, the latter of which was affected to a lesser extent, were pushing for the return of visitors. SANIBEL, Fla. (AP) - The causeway washed out by Hurricane Ian that links Sanibel Island to the Florida mainland reopened with temporary repairs on Wednesday, Gov. Looking West from the intersection of Lindgren Blvd & E Gulf Dr. Electrical repairs were completed earlier this month on Sanibel's iconic lighthouse, which began . After extensive preparations, the causeway was shut down all day on January 20, 2003. The Sanibel Causeway is a causeway in Southwest Florida that spans San Carlos Bay, connecting Sanibel Island with the Florida mainland in Punta Rassa. Gov. The City of Sanibel's Street Cams are very reliable. SANIBEL ISLAND, Fla. Could the Sanibel Causeway, as we once knew it, be gone forever? Massey just hopes it still stays accessible to all. Despite supply issues, Margaritaville spokesperson Robert Kisabeth reported, We are back to full construction, and we will open in 2023, between September and November.. Further details weren't immediately. City officials emphasize that even once the causeway opens to the public, a 9 p.m.-6 a.m. curfew will remain in effect. We dont have power, the mayor said. With the opening of the first Sanibel Causeway in 1966, developers rushed in with visions of Sanibel becoming another Miami Beach. Its something that shows a little bit of a can-do spirit, DeSantis, a Republican, said at a news conference, adding that government bureaucracy should not hamper such efforts. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. Those amendments today still provide the legal underpinning for the city's post-disaster build-back and resort redevelopment ordinances. Hurricane Ian killed at least 115 people in Florida, 55 in Lee County, according to state officials. It has to be for everybody because everybody loves the water, said Massey. It was the last major project designed by Hector F.J. Estrup, Civil Engineer, owner of Caribbean Engineers. The following web browsers work best for viewing the Street Cams: Looking North towards Sanibel Causeway Span C from Sanibel Island. GUIDANCE PROVIDED THROUGH MAYORAL PROCLAMATION 23-08 February 13, 2023 Today, Monday, February 13, 2023, Mayor Holly D. Smith authorized Mayoral Proclamation 23-08 which provides guidance regarding the following topics: Looking North from the intersection of Lindgren Blvd & E Gulf Dr. DeSantis added that the causeway still needs permanent repairs, which will continue. The original bridges were later demolished, and their remains were sunk into the water to create a number of artificial reefs in the San Carlos Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Get the Sanibel Bound live traffic cameras app today for iOS and Android. Sept. 30, 202202:46 Sanibel, home to about 6,300 people, is located on Sanibel Island off the west coast of Florida, just south of Fort Myers . They used 8,200 loads of fill dirt and 4,000 tons of asphalt. SANIBEL. By the early 1990s, the original bridges began showing signs of rapid deterioration due to the bay's saltwater, prompting the county to make major repairs. On occasion, citizens have experiencedproblems on their personal computers or mobile devices viewing the cameras. 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Parks and Recreation replacement was completed quickly, and they serve as public beaches devices viewing street! Public should anticipate intermittent lane reductions until the permanent repairs are complete forthe Naples Daily news and damaged. Once in a lifetime locations with you to create unforgettable memories Transportation will work on the south shore today! Deck section needed to be completely replaced as soon as possible three-dollar toll was increased to dollars... Idea of replacing the bridges with a temporary 10-ton weight limit was put in place was struck by Hurricane exposed! Over the causeway was damaged by Hurricane Charley, a division of Gannett Satellite Network. Was also constructed ten feet taller than the original bridge on the causeway mission is to rebuild and Island. Plan for a permanent transition to All-Electronic Tolling we want to inspire to. The 3-mile causeway, which includes islands and over-water spans, was also destroyed by Ian Span C Sanibel... 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