Manatee County residents split about proposed Tara Bridge

More than 100 Manatee County residents — mostly wearing red — filled the commission chambers Tuesday morning for an item not even on the day’s agenda: a proposed Tara Bridge.

Opponents of the proposed bridge wore red while supporters of the bridge’s construction wore green “Build the Tara Bridge Now” shirts.

Before any of the citizens spoke Tuesday, County Administrator Ed Hunzeker, who last week told commissioners there is no funding available at this time for the bridge, said the county has followed the commission’s direction from 2007 to make the 44th Avenue Extension a priority over the Tara Bridge, which would be paid for with impact fees.

The bridge, which would go across the Braden River at Tara Boulevard, connecting Honore Avenue to State Road 70, has recent been a topic of conversation in the community. The bridge, which is not included in the county’s five-year Capital Improvement Program, is on the county’s Long Range Transportation Plan.

Until the ultimate cost of the 44th Avenue Extension project is known, Hunzeker said Tuesday “it would be imprudent for us recommending funding any other project.”

“We support the Tara Bridge project, but it is a function of priorities,” he said.

With the bridge, Tara Boulevard would essentially have to be destroyed and rebuilt to allow higher traffic speed, resident John Lane said.

“That destruction will have a profound affect on our community,” he said. “This kind of future is not something the people of Tara deserve.”

When Lynn Daniel and her family moved into Tara Preserve a year ago, she said they were not notified of a proposed bridge.

“It would have changed our decision,” Daniel told commissioners. “It makes no sense. ...We are concerned about transient traffic.”

But for Anthony Hueston III, the Tara Bridge is needed.

“It’s a necessity for emergency vehicles getting north and south of the Braden River,” he said.

Commissioner Betsy Benac said she would not vote to change making the Tara Bridge a priority over 44th Avenue Extension.

“One of the most expensive roads you build is one you stop and start,” Benac said. “We got to get 44th done before we talk about building another expensive project.”

Over the weekend, Commission Chairwoman Vanessa Baugh, who represents East Manatee, said she walked door to door in some of the neighborhoods that would be affected by the bridge.

“It will, in my opinion, change the traffic pattern and the noise of your neighborhood,” Baugh said. “I do believe that.”

The county has so many other priorities and can’t stop now the construction of 44th Avenue, Commissioner Carol Whitmore said.

“We have to pick our priorities because we aren’t rich,” she said.

This story was originally published May 24, 2016 at 1:05 PM with the headline "Manatee County residents split about proposed Tara Bridge."