430204-2 Cortez Bridge Project

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District One begins construction on the Cortez Bridge on State Road (SR) 684 in Manatee County, Florida. The project includes the bridge and roadway approaches from SR 789 (Gulf Drive) to 123rd Street West, a distance of about 0.9 mile.

Construction Overview

The bridge replacement project will be built in two phases to maintain traffic throughout construction. During Phase 1, crews will construct the northern half of the new bridge alongside the existing bridge. Once completed, traffic will be shifted onto the new bridge, allowing Phase 2 to begin. Phase 2 includes demolition of the existing bridge and construction of the remaining portion of the new bridge. Construction will be performed using barges and temporary trestles in both phases.

Traffic Impacts

To accommodate construction activities, traffic will be shifted slightly south at both bridge approaches during Phase 1. This 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.

Project Cost and Schedule

• Construction Cost: Approximately $123 million
• Construction Duration: Approximately 1,200 days
• Phase 1 Traffic Shift: Anticipated by the end of this year
• Phase 2 Traffic Shift: Anticipated in mid-2028

The phased construction approach is designed to minimize disruptions while delivering a new bridge and associated roadway improvements.

A Bridge Aesthetics Committee (BAC) was formed during the design phase of the project consisting of community representatives from Cortez and Bradenton Beach to provide input on the bridge aesthetics.

BAC Members included (at the time):

Joe Adorna (Cortez Park), Mike Bazzy (Bradenton Beach Marina), Karen Bell (Tide Tables), Mayor John Chappie (Bradenton Beach), David Galuska, Connie Morrow (Runaway Bay & Mariners Cove), Ann Marie Nichols (Room with a Hue), Joe Rogers (Seafood Shack), Jeff Vey (Bridgeport Condos), Gloria Weir (Cortez Park), and Bobby Woodsen (Tide Tables).

BAC Meetings and Additional Small Group Meetings during Design: August 12, 2020; January 6, 2021; January 20, 2021; February 10, 2021; March 1, 2021; March 10, 2021; April 1, 2021; April 22, 2021; May 27, 2021; November 9, 2021 and May 3, 2024. Future meetings will be scheduled as needed.

To date, the BAC has determined the following (may be altered in final design)

• Preference is for aesthetically enhanced multi-column pier with a waterline footing. The exterior face of the column would be in line with the exterior face of the bridge deck. Cheekwalls would extend from the top of the pier to the underside of the deck at all pier locations.
• Preference is for four overlooks, located on the north and south side of the bridge at the two piers on either side of the main channel.
• Preference for substructure lighting on the exterior faces of the pier columns.
• A custom “wave” infill pattern is suggested for the bridge pedestrian railings.