Fort Hamer Bridge moves closer to approval

Manatee County will hold a public meeting on the Fort Hamer Bridge Aug. 7, at the Bradenton Area Convention Center.

The meeting — one of the last steps in getting final site plan approval for the bridge — will be chaired by the U.S. Coast Guard.

The public meeting comes after Waterlefe residents, in July 2010, rallied against the two-lane bridge project, citing it would create increased traffic along Upper Manatee River Road, and tthe Rye Road bridge, farther east, would satisfy transportation needs just as well.

The U.S. Coast Guard then required Manatee County to expand its environmental impact study to include the Rye Road Bridge and determine whether it could meet the county’s need for a north-south route.

The Coast Guard then solicited feedback on the project from Manatee County residents.

Originally, construction on the bridge was expected to start in July 2011.

The Fort Hamer Bridge would connect Upper Manatee Road to Fort Hamer Park, once completed.

For more information on the project, visit forthamerbridge.com.

Contact Josh Siegel at [email protected].