Manatee County is gearing up to begin a $1.81 million redesign and remodel of the Coquina South Boat Ramp.
The project is wholly funded using West Coast Inland Navigation District money.
The ramp is at the south end of Anna Maria Island at 1465 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach.
The project is scheduled to begin March 21 and completed in October.
Due to the complexity of the work involved, the ramp will be closed to the public during the six-month projected construction window.
The county is reminding boaters to be aware of the closure and their option to use the newly remodeled Coquina North Boat Ramp.
Improvements were in the permitting process when the south boat ramp suffered damage during Tropical Storm Eta in November 2020.
After the storm, county workers removed the wooden planking from the ramp decking to improve public safety.
According to the Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources Department, the initiation of the project will start with the removal of the existing docks, launch ramp and seawalls.
The footprint of the ramp will remain essentially the same, but planned upgrades include:
- Outer L-shaped docks will be extended 25 feet on either side to increase docking capacity;
- The southernmost dock will be widened to improve handicap access;
- The concrete ramp will see changes in slope to provide more efficient loading and unloading at various tidal levels;
- Articulating concrete block will be placed at the end of the ramp to prevent erosion caused by power loading of vessels;
- A handicap access sidewalk with upgraded handicap functionality will be installed near the handicap parking area.
For more information about the project, go online to mymanatee.org.