Monday, Sep. 22, 2008

Small span to close for repairs

It seems Anna Maria Island has been consumed by bridge repairs lately.

As the island gears up for the Anna Maria Bridge closure, first a small bridge on Bay Boulevard at the north end of Anna Maria must close for repairs.

The city will close the bridge today, making it the third bridge on or near Anna Maria Island to undergo construction this year.

"Honestly, this one is not a big deal," said Sandy Mattick, owner of Pine Avenue General Store.

That's true, considering many are focused on the AMI Bridge, which has been under construction since February and will close to vehicular traffic Sept. 29 for 45 days.

The small town of Cortez, which is right before Bradenton Beach, even had its own bridge headache when a humpback bridge on 127th Street West closed in May for replacement.

While repairs to the Bay Boulevard bridge may pale in comparison, islanders are pleased a few nagging issues will be tended to on a small but well-known bridge in the city.

"We're just grateful they're finally going to fix the big pot hole in the bridge," Mattick said. "It's a safe bridge, but there's that pot hole right in the middle."

The 50-year-old bridge spans about 30 feet and connects Pine Avenue with Lakeview Drive.

Repairs will be made to the top portion of the bridge, and the city anticipates it will be closed through Friday.

George McKay, public works director for Anna Maria, said the bridge is structurally sound, based on an engineer's inspection conducted about four months ago.

"Since then, the decking part has been starting to flake," McKay said. "There was nothing structurally wrong with it."

A protective coating will be applied to the bridge to stop the concrete deck peeling, a cost of about $1,000, McKay said.

A bridge of similar size on Crescent Avenue will serve as the main detour to connect South Bay and North Bay boulevards.

"We've got the other bridge, so it's not going to bother but a few of us on the north end," said resident Tom Turner. "This little bridge here is not nearly going to have the impact the Manatee Avenue bridge will have."

Norm Burke, owner of the Bradenton Boat Club, said the bridge on 127th Street in Cortez reopened Friday after a certificate of completion was received.

The two-lane bridge that connects Cortez Road and 126th Street West was closed to undergo an $825,000 replacement project, which Burke financed.

McKay said the earliest the Bay Boulevard bridge may open Wednesday.

"The good thing will be if they can complete the Manatee Avenue bridge in time," Mattick said.