Osprey Bridge closed for inspection

The Osprey Avenue Bridge over the Hudson Bayou is closed today and Thursday as crews inspect the structure in advance of the construction of Lift Station 87.

After the two-day closure, the bridge will reopen one lane of southbound traffic Friday. The bridge will be reduced to one lane for approximately four weeks, reopening to two lanes following the completion of the inspection on or near Feb. 16.

The inspection of the bridge will also affect boaters in the area. Crews will install cofferdams in the bayou to facilitate inspection below the water line, reducing the vertical height for boat clearance beneath the bridge.

The bridge inspection is a precursor to the city hiring a new contractor for the Lift Station 87 project. Once completed, the facility will handle one-third of the city’s wastewater.

For more information on the bridge closure, contact project manager Steve Topovski at (941) 955-2325, extension 6221.

Contact David Conway at [email protected].