Fort Hamer Bridge
History
A bridge over Manatee River was first proposed by the Manatee County Board of Commissioners on September 9, 1909. The county proposed a $250,000 road bond, equivalent to $6,065,000 in 2023, to pay for construction of the bridge. This proposal was abandoned due to opposition and lack of funds. It was proposed again by the County Commission in 1989 and added in the initial adoption of the County's Comprehensive Plan on May 11, 1989.
Construction of the bridge broke ground on March 19, 2015. The bridge opened to vehicular traffic on October 18, 2017 after it was temporarily open a month prior as an evacuation route for Hurricane Irma.
Accolades
The bridge was ranked No. 7 on Roads & Bridges Top 10 Bridges for 2017. The list compromises of bridges in North America and rates bridges based on project challenges, impact to the region, and scope of work.
The project was also awarded "Highway/Bridge Best Project" in ENR as part of ENR Southeast's 2018 Best Projects.
References
- ^ "Highway/Bridge Best Project: Fort Hamer Bridge". ENR. October 23, 2018. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
- ^ White, Dale (October 17, 2017). "Long-awaited Fort Hamer Bridge opens to traffic". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
- ^ "Quick Facts". Fort Hamer Bridge. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
- ^ "Florida Bridge Information – 2018 4th Quarter" (PDF). Florida Department of Transportation. October 1, 2018. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
- ^ "Fort Hamer Bridge opens to traffic, connecting Manatee County's fastest growing areas". Manatee County Government. October 17, 2017. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
- ^ White, Dale (July 13, 2014). "Fort Hamer Bridge battle has long history". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
- ^ "Comprehensive Plan". Manatee County Government. March 19, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
- ^ Jones Jr., James A. (January 9, 2018). "Fort Hamer Bridge makes magazine's list for top North American projects". Bradenton Herald. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
- ^ "Top 10 Bridges for 2017". Road & Bridges. Retrieved September 26, 2018.