State transportation officials have confirmed construction of the new Cortez Bridge is expected to begin by next summer.
The project’s letting date — when bids for construction are accepted — is set for March 25, 2026, with work expected to last about 1,200 days, or just over three years, David Scarpelli, the Florida Department of Transportation’s District One public information specialist, said in emails to The Islander Nov. 4 and Nov. 6.
The $143 million project involves $7.9 million for design and $135.3 million for construction.
The DOT will build a high-level bridge to replace the 1956 bascule drawbridge linking the island at Bradenton Beach to the mainland at Cortez along State Road 684/Cortez Road.
The bridge across the Intracoastal Waterway will be a 65-foot fixed-span, eliminating the need for movable parts and reducing long-term maintenance costs, according to the state.
The existing bridge — with a 17-foot-clearance — is considered functionally obsolete, causing frequent traffic delays when raised for boat traffic.
According to Scarpelli, the new bridge will be built just north of the existing span and will feature two 12-foot travel lanes, two 10-foot shoulders and two 10-foot sidewalks, improving safety and access for vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians.
To minimize disruptions, Manatee County and the DOT are coordinating utility and construction schedules to ensure only one of the three bridges connecting Anna Maria Island is under major construction at a time.
Scarpelli said DOT environmental permits remain pending but are expected to be issued before bidding begins.
The DOT must follow a series of federal and state wildlife protection measures, including endangered species guidelines for Gulf sturgeon, manatees, sea turtles and small tooth sawfish.
“Seagrass impacts have also been mitigated,” Scarpelli said.
Under the proposed construction phasing plan, work will begin with half of the new bridge built north of the existing span.
Once that portion is complete, the old bridge will be demolished and the remaining half of the new span will be constructed.
Throughout construction, vehicle and vessel traffic will continue, with temporary traffic control plans to maintain existing routes for cars, cyclists and pedestrians.
Boat access beneath the bridge will remain consistent with U.S. Coast Guard requirements.
Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director Elliott Falcione, in a Nov. 4 email, said the county is mobilizing transportation improvements, including the launch of a third Gulf Islands Ferry, to ease congestion during construction.
“It’s exciting to see continued investment in the infrastructure that connects our communities and enhances the visitor experience,” he said. “With the third Gulf Islands Ferry coming online soon, we’re taking another step toward easing traffic congestion and providing residents and visitors with more convenient ways to enjoy our beautiful coastal destinations.”
Manatee County Public Information Officer Bill Logan, via email Nov. 4 and Nov. 5, said the county’s public works department is relocating a 24-inch water main and 20-inch force main along the south side of the existing bridge — an early step required for the DOT construction.
For more info
For more information, including fact sheets, timelines, images and a 3D animation related to the Cortez Bridge replacement project, go online to www.swflroads.com/project/430204-2.
What an absolute travesty for Cortez….