Utility relocation for Cortez Bridge project will continue through 2025

Preliminary construction work for the Cortez Bridge replacement project will go through 2025, but no significant traffic delays are expected. 

The bridge north of Longboat Key is essential for those traveling from the key and other barrier islands to the mainland. Currently, Manatee County is working on a utility replacement project that is necessary before the larger project begins. 

According to the project website, construction on the utility replacement project is anticipated to last through summer 2026. 

The project involves relocating the water main and force main intracoastal crossing, which are 24-inch and 20-inch pipes. The pipes will move to the south side of the existing Cortez Bridge, necessary because of the proposed alignment of the new bridge. 

Strategic Affairs Manager for Manatee County Public Works Ogden Clark said throughout this construction there will be closures of shoulders and potential periodic flagging if road closures are necessary. 

"Throughout 2025, utility drilling work will continue to occur within the shoulder areas of the right-of-way (just outside the pavement). Periodically, incidental and brief traffic detours might be needed to move equipment or materials from one side to the other," Clark said in an emailed statement. "The contractor will use flagmen for these periods, allowing traffic to move in both directions throughout. Motorists will receive advanced notice before these operations are required." 

Clark also said the project team will continue to provide updates and outreach to the public about potential timeline changes.

As of Dec. 18, the sidewalk and bike lane on the south side of Cortez Road West from 119th Street W. to Avenue B are closed with a detour for pedestrian traffic. This is on the mainland side of the bridge. 

“Intermittent closures of the outer merge lane on eastbound Cortez Road W. will also be in effect as needed to allow for the moving of equipment, with flagging operations in place to assist travelers. This activity is expected to continue through spring 2025,” the project website states. 

Future bridge replacement

The utility replacement project is necessary before the Florida Department of Transportation begins construction on the larger project: replacing the Cortez Bridge.

The existing drawbridge from Cortez to Bradenton Beach was constructed in 1956 and has a vertical clearance of 22 feet. There are two lanes for vehicle traffic and pedestrian lanes on either side of the vehicle lanes. 

Courtesy image

The proposed replacement bridge will be a high fixed-span bridge and have two 12-foot vehicle lanes with a 10-foot shoulder on either side, followed by a traffic barrier and a 10-foot pedestrian lane. 

This fixed-span bridge will have a 65-foot vertical clearance from the mean high-water line and eliminate the need for a drawbridge. 

Infrastructure services firm Lochner will handle project management, design and permitting for the project. 

“Although the replacement bridge will be located to the north of the existing bridge, right of way constraints will cause the new and existing bridges to overlap, making phased construction critical for success,” Lochner’s website states. 

The project is in the design phase, which costs about $6.7 million. According to the FDOT project website, final design plans should be submitted in summer 2025 and construction will begin in late 2025 or early 2026.