With good weather for construction of the Anna Maria city pier boardwalk, contractor Woodruff & Sons Inc. is on schedule to finish the first phase by early July.
The project, supervised by the Florida Department of Transportation, began in mid-May with crews laying the boardwalk foundation. Work started in the north parking lot near the humpback bridge and is proceeding south, said DOT spokesperson Trudy Gerena.
Phase 1 is construction of the north side of the boardwalk from the humpback bridge to the pier entrance, building the trolley stop and shelter at the entrance, rearranging the parking configuration, and paving the parking lot with crushed shell to aid stormwater runoff. The shell mix also will provide an old Florida look to the parking lot, engineers said.
Electricity will be installed to provide lighting along the boardwalk and in the trolley shelter, according to Gerena. The lights are turtle-friendly and have been approved by Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring.
Landscaping will be installed in phases, as construction proceeds.
Posts for the new pier entryway sign will be installed this week, but the sign won’t be put up until the entire project is near completion.
Phase 2 extends the boardwalk from the pier entrance southward.
“The north side of the project is anticipated to be completed for public use the week of July 11,” Gerena said.
If weather doesn’t seriously slow construction, Gerena said the DOT anticipates completion in fall 2011, possibly in late October or early November.
Funding for the boardwalk came from an $857,000 federal transportation enhancement grant awarded the city in 2006, but with the caveat that the DOT oversee construction and require the boardwalk and accompanying gazebos, landscaping and signs be built to federal standards.
Additionally, the federal government said the grant only could be used for new city projects, not to enhance existing structures, parks or infrastructure. The grant did not require city funding, and the DOT has agreed to cover cost over-runs, if any occur.
When completed, the 800-foot-long boardwalk will be about 8 inches above the ground, and 5 feet wide in most locations. Some wider areas are planned for wheelchair users to observe pier activities. Access points to the boardwalk will be located about every 50-80 feet, and the boardwalk and the parking areas will comply with the U.S. Americans with Disabilities Act.
Woodruff & Sons is using a specially treated wood that will withstand the elements of salt, sun and sea spray longer than ordinary wood, according to project engineers.
The life expectancy of the wood is about 20-25 years, engineers said.