They’re hoping to reel in a monster.
More than 30 people gathered Aug. 12 at Fishermen’s Hall in Cortez to hear an anti-megabridge presentation from former Manatee County Commissioners Jane von Hahmann and Joe McClash.
Attendees were greeted at the door by a TV screen showing a Florida Department of Transportation YouTube animated video depicting the 65-foot-clearance fixed-span replacement Cortez Bridge the agency plans to build in 2026-27.
Von Hahmann, a Cortez resident, and McClash are the leading forces behind a group of five complainants challenging the Florida Department of Transportation’s 2019 decision to replace the 17-foot-clearance Cortez drawbridge with the high bridge.
The core group — which also includes Cortez residents Joe Kane and Linda Molto— lodged their initial complaint in federal court in March 2019 and are gearing up for an Aug. 25 mediation conference with the DOT.
The Cortez nonprofit Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage joined the complainants Aug. 2.
They are advocating a 35-foot-clearance replacement bridge.
If the DOT refuses to compromise on the size of the bridge at mediation, the matter could be settled by a federal magistrate in October.
Von Hahmann, treasurer of FISH, kicked off the presentation, telling the audience that the approximately 130-year-old fishing village of Cortez — listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1995 — is in yet another fight to preserve its heritage.
She juxtaposed images on a screen of the 65-foot-clearance Tierra Verde replacement bridge — which connects the island communities of Tierra Verde and Isla del Sol in Pinellas County and opened to traffic in February — and the 27-foot-clearance John’s Pass drawbridge in Madeira Beach, completed in 2010.
Von Hahmann then cited DOT public comment data gathered between 2013-17 that indicated approximately 70% of all respondents to agency questions about bridge replacement favored rehabilitating the current drawbridge or building a mid-level bridge.
She wrapped up her presentation with images of the retaining walls for the proposed bridge — about 20-feet-high at their peak in Cortez.
McClash spoke about the status of the lawsuit and the strength of the complainants’ case.
When the DOT greenlighted the high bridge over the mid-level bridge, they did so under outdated legal conditions and failed to choose the structure that least impacts the floodplain, he said.
McClash estimated that the megabridge fighters’ chances of winning the lawsuit are 50% or better.
A discussion followed the presentation.
Gloria Weir, a board member of the Cortez Park homeowners association, described the impact the high bridge would have on the mobile home community.
The park overlooks the Intracoastal Waterway and the Cortez Bridge.
If the megabridge is built, the park would lose two access points — including its main entrance off Cortez Road — and income-generating RV sites, Weir said.
The park leases Tide Tables restaurant to Bobby Woodson and Karen Bell, and the high bridge could strain the arrangement, she said.
Flamingo Cay resident Barb Stubbers thanked the complainants for spearheading the effort — which drew a round of applause — and asked what could be done to help.
McClash encouraged people to donate to the complainants’ legal fund by visiting the “Stop the Mega Bridge from devastating Cortez” page on gofundme.com and to write letters to DOT District 1 Secretary L.K. Nandam and U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Bridge-fighter Joe Kane made the final comment, saying he was hopeful about the outcome of the case.
“I’m hopelessly optimistic that we can do it. The crazier it gets, the easier it gets, and the 65-foot bridge is an absurdity,” he said.
The headline and the article shown here might lead some to think that F.I.S.H. is against a new bridge. F.I.S.H. and the people of Cortez are NOT against a new bridge. The people in Cortez just don’t want a MEGA bridge. The alternative 35 foot bridge solves all the issues and does not leave such a huge FOOTPRINT on the people of Cortez. The FOOTPRINT of the MEGA bridge proposed by Dept of Transportation STOMPS on the people and businesses of Cortez. In addition the alternative 35 foot bridge would have a much lesser impact on the flood plain than the MEGA bridge. DOT is required by law to choose the option that least impacts the floodplain but they chose the MEGA bridge anyway. Not to mention that the MEGA bridge will cost the tax payers $$MIllions$$ more. There are YouTube videos of both bridges available for viewing. Just search the web for Cortez Bridge Replacement.