Fort Hamer Bridge work reaches 20 percent milestone
MANATEE -- When the six-lane Fort Hamer Bridge is completed in spring 2017, pedestrians and bicyclists will be able to stop on the east side of the bridge to overlook the Manatee River.
The scenic overlook planned for the halfway point on the bridge now under construction, will be one of the features linking Lakewood Ranch and Parrish.
During Tuesday's Council of Governments meeting, Trudy Gerena, project spokeswoman, updated the local elected officials about the $32.69 million project, which includes improvements to Fort Hamer Road and Upper Manatee River Road.
"In nine months, the contractor has made great process," Gerena said, adding the project is 20 percent complete.
As construction continues, a detour is planned for Upper Manatee River Road in spring. Gerena said the detour is estimated to be in place for two to three months and the new traffic pattern will be implemented in this summer.
Construction hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays.
The Fort Hamer Bridge will have two lanes for auto traffic, bike lanes, sidewalk on the east side and turn lanes at the north and south approaches.
Fort Hamer Road and Upper Manatee River Road will get sidewalks, paved bike lanes, grass shoulders, right- and left-turn lanes, resurfacing and widening to 24 feet.
Other key Fort Hamer Bridge project dates include:
Fort Hamer Road improvements completed in March.
Drainage and sidewalks completed on Upper Manatee River Road in December.
Reach land on south side of Manatee River in January/February 2017.
Complete bridge construction in May/June 2017.
"Hopefully we will be ready for the ribbon cutting in 2017," Gerena said.
Commission Chairwoman Vanessa Baugh said "it is going to be most helpful for evacuation as well."
Claire Aronson, Manatee County reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7024. Follow her on Twitter@Claire_Aronson.
This story was originally published January 6, 2016 at 5:40 AM with the headline "Fort Hamer Bridge work reaches 20 percent milestone ."