Scheduling changes may be coming for the Anna Maria Island and Cortez bridges.
The U.S. Coast Guard responded May 23 to a request by the Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization to amend the opening schedules for the Anna Maria Island, Cortez and Longboat Pass bridges.
After months of debate, Barry Dragon, director of the bridge administration program for the seventh U. S. Coast Guard District, responded to executive director David Hutchinson’s request regarding the changes sought by the MPO.
With regard to the Anna Maria Island/Manatee Avenue and Cortez/Cortez Road bridges, Dragon said the Coast Guard is drafting a notice of proposed rulemaking to address the suggestion to change bridge openings to every 30 minutes year-round with further restrictions considered during peak seasons.
The notice is the Coast Guard’s official ruling on the opening schedule.
Dragon, in a letter, said the Coast Guard would not approve a change in the opening schedule for the Longboat Pass Bridge due to safety concerns — primarily the limited area for safe vessel holding and shoals in the area.
The Anna Maria and Cortez bridges presently open on signal from boaters Jan. 15-May 15 on the hour and half-hour, 6 a.m.-7 p.m.
The bridges open May 16-Jan. 14 on signal on the hour and 20 and 40 minutes after the hour 6 a.m.-7 p.m.
They open on signal from a boater 7 p.m.-6 a.m.
The Longboat Pass Bridge opens on demand.
— Kristin Swain