Construction cranes hover above the drawbridge at John’s Pass. The new bridge will have more clearance for boats.
GULF BEACH – The $75 million John’s Pass bridge replacement project and the Treasure Island Causeway Bridge project remain on schedule.
The Treasure Island bridge is expected to be finished in August, and the John's Pass brige is expected to be completed in summer of 2010.
In Madeira Beach, the former southbound bridge has been removed, and construction of the new southbound bridge is about 25 percent complete, a Florida Department of Transportation spokeswoman said recently.
The removal of the bridge began in January 2006 and is expected to be open to both vehicle and pedestrian traffic in early 2008. Two-way traffic will be shifted to the southbound bridge upon its completion
In early 2008, demolition of the opposite bridge will begin to make way for the new northbound bridge, DOT officials said.
The new bridges will provide two 12-foot travel lanes in each direction, a new bridge tender house, observation decks and 8-foot sidewalks. It also will increase the navigational channel from 60 feet to 100 feet and increase the vertical clearance by about 8 feet.
The old bridge, connecting Treasure Island and Madeira Beach, was built in 1971.
Treasure Island officials said the construction of the Treasure Island Causeway Bridge is 75 percent complete, is on schedule and is expected to be finished in August.
Structural steel work on the lift portions of the drawbridge is in progress. Hydraulic and electronic work is also slated.
The bridge work has been a source of pride for city officials.
“It’s an amazing structure,” said city of Treasure Island spokesman Jeff Jensen. “The view from the (bridge tender’s tower) is incredible. You can see Tropicana Field.”
Construction work during the next two months will affect accessibility of the channel to boaters. Mariners seeking information on the status of channel accessibility can call the Treasure Island Causeway Bridge Tender Control Room on Channel 9.
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