Meeting set on future of bridges

The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority is inviting the public to attend a workshop on Wednesday, March 26 at 2 p.m. in the Boca Grande Community Center Auditorium, to discuss three options for the new bridge.

The three options to be offered up to the public at the meeting will include renovation of the existing bridge, putting up another swing bridge or using a bascule, or drawbridge design.

“It will be a great opportunity for everyone to come down and give their opinions, and to see what the future is going to look like,” GIBA’s Executive Director Jim Cooper said.

The bridge, which was built 50 years ago, has deteriorated even with careful maintenance. A bridge closure that occurred in late February was the first sign of severe structural damage to the bridge’s basic support system that required an emergency bridge closure, as large cracks were found in a support beam close to the mainland side of the bridge.

Cooper said the Boca Grande Swing Bridge is one of the few, if not the only, bridge system in Florida that has a dedicated maintenance staff, and that many different types of new technology have been used in trying to make the bridges safe, yet utilitarian for as long as possible.