Survey: 51% favor Cortez Bridge rehab

A narrow margin of respondents to a recent Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) survey supported rehabilitation over replacement of the Cortez Bridge.

FDOT received approximately 850 completed surveys through May 31.

Approximately 51% of respondents favored further rehabilitation of the bridge, while 43% favored replacement of the bridge.

Of those who want the bridge to be replaced, 38% would prefer a high-level fixed bridge; 19% want a mid-level drawbridge; 33% support a low-level drawbridge; and 4% favor another option.

Just 1% of respondents were from Longboat Key. Those surveys overwhelmingly indicated support for replacing of the bridge, with 86% expressing support for replacement, compared to 14% in favor of a rehabilitation.

FDOT considers the Cortez Bridge “functionally obsolete,” meaning it doesn’t meet current road design standards, because of its lack of shoulders, 10-inch concrete roads separating travel lanes from the sidewalk, and old-style bridge railings.

The bridge is also considered “structurally deficient,” meaning it needs a series of repairs or replacement within six years.

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected].