Town reiterates stance against fixed-span bridge

After the latest round of public meetings regarding a potential replacement of the Longboat Pass drawbridge, talk about — and pushback against — the Florida Department of Transportation's proposed fixed-span bridge have once again bubbled up on the north end of the Key.

Longboat Key North, a group of condominium association representatives and homeowners on the north end, have been vocally opposed to FDOT’s preferred 78-foot-clearance fixed-span bridge. 

Hearing from its constituents, the Longboat Key Town Commission is repeating history, sending a letter to FDOT voicing its preference for the aging Longboat Pass bridge to be replaced with a drawbridge. Former Mayor Ken Schneier wrote in a 2024 letter that a fixed-span bridge “would be inconsistent with the character of Longboat Key.”

One of Debra Williams’ first official actions after being picked as the new mayor among commissioners was to confirm the town’s stance to FDOT.

“The Town Commission would like to reiterate our strong preference for FDOT to reconsider a lower-level bascule bridge leading into our community,” Williams’ letter reads. “As you are aware, the north end of our island community is characterized by lower elevation, mostly single-family residential homes with smaller-scale condominiums and a few commercial businesses.

“The north end is not lined with high-rise condominiums, hotels and heavy commercial areas. As such, the Commission and many of our residents believe a high fixed span would be out of character with the area.”

Williams’ letter also notes that the 78-foot proposed clearance height would only be necessary for a handful of boats, according to FDOT project documents that cite a 2022 boat survey. 

“We believe this information not only needs to be updated, but is a questionable expenditure of taxpayer dollars to increase a fixed-span height from a minimum of 65 feet to 78 feet,” the letter reads.

Longboat resident Mark Fishman is one example of a boater who would benefit from a taller bridge. He wasn’t listed on the survey FDOT cited in project documents and said if the height of the proposed bridge were reduced from 78 feet to 65 feet, he would be boxed in.

In 2024, initial FDOT public meetings showed three bridge replacement alternatives, a tall fixed-span bridge, a medium-height bascule bridge or a low-height bascule bridge. Project documents cite the cost as a major reasoning for FDOT’s preference of a fixed span alternative. According to FDOT estimates, the fixed-span bridge would cost at least $38 million less than the drawbridge options. 

Town Manager Howard Tipton said the new letter reiterating the Town Commission’s preference for a drawbridge was sent to FDOT District 1 Secretary Jamie Driggers and the PD&E design team. He also hopes it is shared with the next group of engineers as the project moves forward.

“As they finish up the PD&E, they’ll have a new project team that will take over. They have project teams that do this and they pass it on to the next one,” Tipton said. “We want to make sure that we’re talking to and working with the next project team so that we can continue to have the position of the town front and center. But our goal at the end of the day is we understand that FDOT is a tremendous partner with the town. They’re a critical partner for us. So we will work with them to make the best of whatever decision is made.”