CORTEZ – Construction on the new Cortez Bridge is expected to begin in early November, with the first visible work taking place on the water.
Dustin Spears, senior projects engineer, spoke to The Sun during the public information session the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) held at the Kirkwood Church in Bradenton on Oct. 20.
“We’re looking tentatively at November 9th,” Spears said regarding the anticipated start date for the bridge replacement project to be conducted by SEMA Construction.
The work will start on the north side of the existing bridge, at the east end of the bridge. From there, crews will move into substructure work while building a temporary trestle on the north side of the bridge.
Spears said the work crews will drive the pilings for one pier at a time. After a group of pilings at one pier is driven and approved, the work will move to the next pier.
Spears said work will also begin on the south side of Cortez Road to prepare for the pending traffic diversions, and traffic will be pushed south to open the northern side. Cortez Road will not be closed completely during bridge construction, but individual lane closures will occur intermittently, with no restrictions on when the lane closures occur.
“Those can happen any time during the day,” Spears said of the lane closures.
Earlier that day, Manatee County commissioners approved SEMA’s request to use an additional portion of the county-owned property formerly occupied by the Seafood Shack as a construction and staging area. The original plans had called for that particular parcel to be used for overflow parking.
Spears said the use of the additional county-owned parcel will allow construction crews to work directly from the north side of the bridge, rather than using the southern portion as a staging area and moving equipment under the bridge.
PROJECT SCHEDULE
According to the Cortez Bridge replacement project schedule, construction is expected to begin soon and be completed in late 2029. The work will occur in two phases, and the tentative schedule is subject to change.
This fall, the south sidewalk will be closed, and pedestrians will be detoured to the north side of the bridge. Crews will construct the Hunters Point Way roadway that will connect to 127th Street West and provide access to the Tide Tables restaurant on the south side of Cortez Road.
A stormwater retention pond will be created and Manatee County sewer infrastructure work will occur. The in-water construction activities will begin, pilings will be driven for the new bridge foundations north of the existing bridge, a temporary trestle will be constructed north of the existing bridge and seawall construction will begin.
In early 2027, traffic is expected to shift to a temporary diversion roadway, and construction will begin on the north side of Cortez Road. Hunters Point Way will open to traffic, the installation of a Manatee County water main will begin and the bridge construction will continue, according to the current project schedule.
In spring 2027, 127th Street West is expected to be temporarily closed, with traffic detoured via Hunters Point Way. Construction of the Manatee County water main, the bridge and the seawalls will continue. Phase 1 ends after this stage, according to the current project schedule.
Phase 2 will begin in spring 2028, and traffic is expected to be shifted onto the newly constructed bridge. Demolition of the existing bridge will begin, as will the Phase 2 construction of seawalls, foundations, substructure and the bridge’s superstructure, according to the project schedule.
In summer 2029, the entire bridge is expected to be open to traffic, the roadway tie-ins will be completed and the final asphalt surface will be installed.
Construction is currently expected to end in late 2029 with the completion of punch list items.
Project updates and more information can be found at the project webpage.
Related coverage: Former Seafood Shack site approved as longterm staging area for bridge replacement project
