BRADENTON – On Tuesday, Oct. 20, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will conduct a preconstruction public information session for the Cortez Road Bridge Replacement Project
The information session will be held in an open house format at Kirkwood Church at 6101 Cortez Road W. in Bradenton from 4 to 6 p.m. The FDOT bridge project team will be on hand and available for discussion.
The project includes the construction of a new Cortez Bridge and the roadway approaches from Gulf Drive/SR 789 to 123rd Street West, a distance of about 0.9 mile.
“The preconstruction public information session is being conducted to share information about construction activities and traffic phasing,” according to the FDOT website.
FDOT project manager Juan Carrillo told The Sun the session is being held at this time because construction will be starting soon.
The new fixed-span bridge will have a 65-foot vertical clearance that allows boat traffic to pass underneath.
FDOT previously hosted a design public meeting in January 2023.
CONSTRUCTION OVERVIEW
According to FDOT, the bridge replacement project will occur in two phases to maintain traffic flow throughout the construction process. During Phase 1, crews will construct the northern half of the new bridge alongside the existing bridge. Once the northern half is completed, traffic will be shifted onto the new bridge, allowing Phase 2 to begin. Phase 2 includes the demolition of the existing bridge and construction of the remaining portion of the new bridge. Construction will be performed using barges and temporary trestles during both phases.
TRAFFIC IMPACTS
To accommodate the construction activities, traffic will be shifted slightly south at both bridge approaches during Phase 1. The shift will allow crews to build new roadway approaches and project features north of the existing roadway. Phase 1 also includes utility relocations and construction of the new Hunters Point Way connection.
During Phase 1 of the construction process, work crews will construct the northern half of the new bridge alongside the existing bridge, allowing Phase 2 to begin. Phase 2 is anticipated to begin in mid-2028 and includes the demolition of the existing bridge and construction of the remaining portion of the new bridge.
The bridge project cost is approximately $123 million. The construction duration is listed at approximately 1,200 days (about 3.2 years).
Those unable to attend the public information session can submit questions through the project webpage, or by calling Carrillo at 941-708-4429.
