Anxiety Builds Over Bridge Closure...
"It is not quite the end of the world, but the Anna Maria Island community is starting to get nervous."
Nervous over the Anna Maria Island bridge closure that is.
That was the headline in the HeraldTribune just the other day. As we've posted previously, the Florida Department of Transportation will close the Anna Maria Bridge for 45 days starting Sept. 29.
Mary Ann Brockman, president of the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce says, "At this point, what are you going to do? We'll survive."
Proposed Anna Maria Island Bridge Closure
One of two main bridges connecting Manatee County's prime tourism destination to the mainland will be closed for 45 days, creating a problem for local Anna Maria Island businesses, which have reeled in recent years from an ailing economy, high property taxes and rising insurance rates.
"I've talked to a lot of people who are scared about what will happen," said Bonner Joy, owner of the weekly newspaper, The Anna Maria Islander, and a local restaurant operator. "It's like the great unknown here."
It's no wonder people are concerned. The main Anna Maria Island bridge currently carries more than 17,000 vehicles daily, while the alternative, Cortez Bridge, also a two-lane drawbridge, carries roughly 13,000.
There is more than $9 million being spent to upgrade and refurbish the half-mile, 50-year-old Anna Maria Bridge. It's been under repair since February, and will now be closed to vehicle traffic from Sept. 29 to Nov. 13. At least that's the current plan.
Anyone coming to Anna Maria Island during this period will have to access the island via the often-congested Cortez Road bridge or cross over from Longboat Key. Everyone expects a traffic bottleneck at both locations and worry it may deter vacationers and area residents from visiting the island.
How the Business Community is Dealing with the Closure
Members of the local Anna Maria Island business community have different approaches in dealing with the bridge closure. Some businesses have spread the word that they will close for the month of October, while others are going to take a wait-and-see approach before deciding what to do. still others have already become more proactive and are planning what they call, Bridging the Gap.
Bridging the Gap
"Bridging the Gap" is simply the coming together of local Anna Maria Island merchants, beach businesses, arts groups and community organizations to plan fall events in an attempt to curb some of the impact the bridge closure will have on local business.
Nearly two dozen island shops and community groups have put together a month of local events to lure visitors, and dollars, out to the island. Events will include everything from karaoke contests to outdoor concerts to arts and craft shows.
"Rather than just lying down and saying, 'Poor us; I'm going to go eat some worms,' we decided to take the bull by the horns," said Ginny Dutton, co-owner of Ginny and Jane E's, an island cafe. "We're going to survive the bridge situation."
Optimism Amidst the Fears
Ironically, amidst the fears, some local business people have hope. "I'm optimistic, actually," said Rene Button, manager at Peach's Restaurant in Holmes Beach. "I'm hoping, with the bridge out, we'll have a captive audience here."
Anna Maria Island Bridge Closure and the Florida DOT
The Anna Maria Island bridge closure has also proven to be a headache for the DOT. They originally planned to close the bridge for 75 days last spring, but because they did not think the closure would be controversial. As a result, they did not widely publicize the repair work in the weeks leading up to the scheduled closure. DOT officials have since admitted they had known since 2004 about the proposed closure.
As previously reported, when word leaked out about the DOT's lack of concern, Anna Maria Island residents spoke out by criticizing the DOT for not notifying them sooner and demanded a delay of the bridge closure. DOT officials did apologized and did postpone the closure. Late September, the slow season for tourism, was finally settle on... and here we are!
Although the majority of the Anna Maria Island business community have simply resigned themselves to the situation, some still feel the closure will cost them vital business and they want a shorter closure, something the DOT says may not be possible.
This whole bridge closure issue has lead many Anna Maria Island residence to demand the DOT build a new bridge altogether, especially when you consider the fact that the current repairs and upgrades are only going to extend the life of the bridge another 10 to 15 years.
DOT officials had proposed a new bridge several times over the last two decades but each time ran into local opposition. They are again studying the idea but have warned that it could cost upwards of $75 million.
Now, few seem to oppose the idea.
Read 65 Foot Fixed Span Bridge Proposed for Anna Maria Island.
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