ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The water main that broke on the Manatee Avenue Bridge on June 19 is back in service, Manatee County officials say.
As work ensued on the broken pipe, another pipe continued to supply water to the Island from the south. Residents of the Island were asked to conserve water as repairs were underway on AMI’s main water source. Those requests have been rescinded, according to a July 6 Manatee County press release.
Island customers were told on June 19 that they may experience intermittent drops in water pressure due to the emergency repairs on the broken 16-inch water main.
“Cooperative coordination with Manatee County Utilities staff and local contractors kept construction delays to a minimum and provided maximum access to motorists during the recent holiday weekend,” according to the press release.
More work will be taking place along the drawbridge over Anna Maria Sound and in the area over the next several weeks to permanently reposition the main along the span.
Crews also will be in the area removing the old pipe from the water. Details of that work have yet to be finalized.
In a June 29 press release, Manatee County officials advised that “Construction equipment will remain on site as the contractor will need to remove the old water pipe that fell into Anna Maria Sound. It is not anticipated that this work – which may begin as early as the week of July 10 – will require lane closures on Manatee Avenue.”
Residents and visitors will be notified of any road closures or traffic impacts associated with the ongoing work.
Vehicular and pedestrian traffic across the bridge has returned to normal after being reduced to one lane from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. through Friday, June 30. Motorists were advised then to use the Cortez Bridge or Longboat Key Bridge to the Island. Boaters were asked to travel only through the channel underneath the bridge to avoid interference with the workers.
For more information, visit mymanatee.org or call 941-748-4501. Follow the county on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @ManateeGov.
