Cortez Bridge meeting takes place tomorrow

A public meeting will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. tomorrow at Kirkwood Presbyterian Church, 6101 Cortez Road, Bradenton, to gather public feedback about the future of Cortez Bridge as part of a Project Development and Environment (PD&E) study. The meeting will feature an open-house format that will allow individuals to ask questions and provide comment to Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) officials in a one-on-one setting.

FDOT is also distributing surveys to Cortez and Anna Maria Island residents, business owners and property owners asking whether they support replacement or repair of the bridge. The survey also asks whether they would prefer a high-level fixed bridge, mid-level drawbridge or low-level drawbridge if the bridge requires replacement.

The PD&E study will last between two and three years.

Many Longboat Key residents use the bridge because it connects mainland Manatee County to Bradenton Beach, located directly to the south of the Key.

According to the project’s website, “The need for the project is based on the structural and functional deficiencies of the existing bridge.”

For more information, pick up a May 2 copy of the Longboat Observer.

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected].