Share this story | More Date of Issue: January 11, 2007 Coquina Beach Trail construction scheduled soon Manatee County commissioners were expected to select a contractor at press time to begin work on the Coquina Beach Trail in Bradenton Beach. The long-awaited beachfront trail will run from Fifth Street South to a turnaround at Longboat Pass just east of the bridge. Billy Hay Excavating was recommended by Manatee County Parks and Recreation staff to receive the contract for the project. Work was scheduled to begin almost immediately and be completed within 60 days. The multi-use trail will be an 8-foot-wide asphalt pathway running mostly under the trees for a distance of about 1.3 miles. Some of the existing Australian pines will be removed, replaced with cabbage palms. Wooden bollards will be put in place as needed to protect walkers and the walkway from motorists. Five benches will be installed along Longboat Pass to allow trail-users to stop, rest and enjoy the vista. The project is being funded jointly by Manatee County and Bradenton Beach. Officials hope to garner additional funds in the future to continue the trail from the bridge north along the eastern shore to the northern boat ramp on Coquina Beach’s bayfront side.