A claim for repairs to the Longboat Pass Bridge after an October 2014 mishap has made it to the courthouse.
Infrastructure Corporation of America — contracted by Florida Department of Transportation to maintain the bridge between Longboat Key and Bradenton Beach — filed suit and served the town of Longboat Key May 3.
ICA also sued Spectrum Underground Inc. of Sarasota, TB Landmark Construction Inc. of Jacksonville and CDM Smith Inc. of Plantation.
The suit alleges the town controlled the contracted project with Spectrum to install a potable water main. Spectrum subcontracted with TB Landmark to bore the hole for the pipe and CDM was the engineer.
TB Landmark was drilling near the bridge Oct. 24, 2014, when the ground was destabilized, causing the bridge to separate, according to the ICA complaint.
In an Aug. 19, 2015, Sarasota Herald-Tribune article, Dale White reported the drawbridge became stuck and could not be opened. Vessels with high masts were prevented from passing through the channel.
The 12th Circuit Judicial complaint states the city project caused the bridge to become unsafe and inoperable and alleges counts of negligence, negligent supervision and strict liability against each defendant.
The suit claims damages of more than $15,000 to restore the bridge to working order.
A November 2014 claim letter attached to the complaint notifies the city of a repair estimate in excess of $750,000.
The Sarasota Herald-Tribune reported repairs may be closer to $2 million.