Anna Maria Island Bridge rehab continues
by Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter
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| Work crews for Quinn Construction Inc. have been using a barge to perform a number of repairs under the Anna Maria Island Bridge, including the structural pile jackets, during the ongoing bridge rehabilitation project. Islander Photo: Rick Catlin |
The latest press release from the Florida Department of Transportation on its $9.2 million Anna Maria Island Bridge rehabilitation project indicates all work is on schedule for a 45-day closure of the bridge to vehicular traffic beginning Sept. 29.
DOT spokesperson Audrey Clarke said that in the next two months, contractor Quinn Construction Co. of Palmetto will complete the traffic rail repairs on the south side of the bridge, slope protection repairs on both sides of the bridge and the remaining structural and non-structural pile jacket repairs.
The company will also replace the bascule metal grating during a night project scheduled to take place between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. July 8-9.
An earlier attempt at a night-time closure to replace the grating was unsuccessful as the necessary material for the repairs did not arrive.
During the 45-day closure, Quinn will perform bridge deck hydro-demolition and concrete overlay, complete bascule structural replacement, paint the bascule leaf structural steel, complete installation of permanent electrical power systems and controls, replace the Hopkins frame and recondition the drive machinery and perform functional testing and checkout all the work.
While the bridge is closed to vehicle traffic, boat traffic will be able to transverse through the span at selected hours. The contractor will allow some vehicles across the bridge during this period, but only with an advance notice to the DOT.
The bridge is expected to reopen Nov. 13, operating on its normal schedule for all vehicular and boat traffic.
For the latest information on the rehabilitation project, go on the Web to www.islander.org and to the community page. People without Internet access can call 941-792-0369.
Bridge night closure set for July 8
The Florida Department of Transportation and Anna Maria Island Bridge contractor Quinn Construction Co. have scheduled a night-time lane closure of the bridge on July 8-9, DOT spokesperson Audrey Clarke said.
Only one lane will be closed as work crews install temporary railings on the south side of the bridge, Clarke said. Flaggers will direct traffic through the lane closure.
Clarke said she is trying to determine if boat traffic will be affected, but had not heard back from the contractor as of press deadline.
She also said she knows of no other planned night closures of the bridge prior to the scheduled 45-day closure Sept. 29. |
