Drivers waiting for Little Pine Island...

MATLACHA, Fla. —

One way in, and it feels like no way out that's the reality for many who drive over the Little Pine Island Bridge. Frustration, anger, and confusion are putting people over the edge.

"Everybody has to add an hour to wherever they're going," said Bradley Smith a Cape Coral resident.

One side complains, one side explains," said Whitney Hall.

Whitney Hall lives right near the bridge; his house wasn't destroyed by Hurricane Ian. Crews have been working to restore the island since then.

"I've got every reason to be happy," said Hall.

FDOT says there will be intermittent bridge closures on Wednesday, February 12, to allow crews to accept deliveries of concrete bridge piles to the worksite and unload onto the barge.

The deliveries will start as early as 6 p.m. and will continue until all piles are delivered. Crews will clear traffic in between deliveries to lessen the impact to motorists on and off the island.

Motorists are asked to exercise caution and reduce their speed while driving through the work zone.

"I'm grateful that they're here fixing our little island, and I know people, you know, are agitated with the traffic flow, but what do you want to do stop? But I mean, they're fixing our island," he added.

FDOT says they're adding more construction crews to speed up the project, aiming to complete phase 1 by spring.

"We would love it to go faster just simply because a lot of reasons like, because of the restaurants and the bars and the shops, but also because of safety," said Moreen Webber visiting Matlacha.