FDOT studies replacement options for the bridge between Longboat Key and Anna Maria Island
Plans to replace the aging draw bridge that connects Longboat Key and Anna Maria Island are in the works, and the Florida Department of Transportation seeks public input before project design moves forward.
During a virtual workshop hosted on Tuesday, Project Manager Patrick Bateman said the existing bascule bridge was built in 1957 and is past the intended service life. He said it needs to be replaced before costly repairs become necessary. FDOT officials emphasized that the bridge has been evaluated and remains safe.
FDOT will host a second workshop on Thursday evening in Longboat Key to request public input on the project.
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"We are past the intended service life, so as time progresses there are more costly and more disruptive repairs that will be needed," Bateman said. "Over time, eventually, larger scale projects would be needed to keep the bridge open, such as replacing (the) deck. When we replace (the) deck, the bridge is closed, so it's either a very long detour or a very costly temporary structure is built next to the existing bridge."
The effort is in the Project Development and Environment Study phase, which establishes the need for the project, design alternatives, and environmental impacts.
The bridge currently consists of a two-lane road with a five-foot sidewalk to each side, and although there are bicycle lanes on roadways leading to the bridge there are none on the bridge itself. The new bridge would be built slightly west of the existing bridge to minimize impact on existing traffic.
Proposals include options for another low-level bascule bridge with 23-foot-minimum vertical clearance, a mid-level bascule bridge with 36-foot-minimum vertical clearance, or a high-level fixed bridge with 78 feet of minimum vertical clearance.
All three alternatives include plans for a 12-foot lane in each direction, a 12-foot shoulder adjacent to the travel lane, and a 12-foot shared-use path for pedestrians and cyclists. FDOT will present its preferred alternative at a formal public hearing planned in 2025.
The department asks that public comments be submitted by March 25 so that they can become a part of official FDOT records on the project. They can be submitted online via the project website, at www.swflroads.com/project/436676-1, or during the in-person workshop. Comments can also be emailed to Bateman at Patrick.Bateman@dot.state.fl.us.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: FDOT studies options for replacing the bridge from Longboat Key to AMI
