MANATEE -- An effort to put the topic of construction of a bridge at Tara on an upcoming Manatee County Commission agenda for discussion today failed in a 3-3 vote.

East Manatee residents want the issue discussed in public again, and would like to see plans for the bridge’s construction dropped from the county’s planning priority list, Commissioner Vanessa Baugh told the board at its regular meeting Tuesday.

“It is their desire ultimately for it to be removed,” from the priority list, and not be built at all, Baugh said, acknowledging that the bridge has been in county plans since 1989.

Voting in favor of a motion to put the item on a future board agenda were commissioners Carol Whitmore, Michael Gallen and Baugh.

Voting against the motion were commissioners John Chappie, Betsy Benac and Larry Bustle. Commissioner Robin DiSabatino was absent.

The two-lane Tara bridge would span the Braden River near where it intersects with Tara Boulevard. Officials said there is no money to build it, but that it remains on its priority list.