Politics & Government
Long-delayed Bridge Replacement Pleases St. Pete Beach Mayor
After 10 years of delays, the Pinellas Bayway Bridge replacement is finally on for 2012. "Just in time" says St. Pete Beach Mayor Steve McFarlin.
The long-delayed replacement of the Pinellas Bayway Drawbridge finally gets the go ahead, and nobody is happier than St. Pete Beach Mayor Steve McFarlin.
"This has been a dream for a long time," McFarlin said. "It's been in the works for 10 years."
On August 5, after years of delays, the Florida Department of Transportation announced plans to go ahead with the new Bayway Bridge. A high-profile four-lane bridge with a bike/walk trail will replace the current two-lane drawbridge.
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An upgraded Bayway Bridge will reduce delays in traffic by eliminating the drawbridge. According to FDOT surveys, access to St. Pete Beach will be quicker, easier, and costing less compared to operating a drwabridge.
"All the variables came together," said McFarlin. "Costs of supplies and materials have gone down, as well as labor costs."
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In 2008, the FDOT estimated the Pinellas Bayway project at $67 million. New figures now put that amount at $58.6 million. While languishing in committees for years, the replacement project actually competed with a plan to fix up the existing roadway.
McFarlin said moving up the replacement project came "just in time."
"They were already going to spend the money on refurbishing," he said.
The FDOT included the Pinellas Bayway in its "Transportation Vision for the 21st Century.” As State Route 682, the Bayway Bridge replacement project will primarily use state funds, as opposed to federal grants. That highway designation also meant that long-term maintenance costs would be through state highway funds, resident bridge passes and the prepaid Speedpass.
According to the FDOT, money for Bayway Bridge maintenance is expected to come from a combination of tolls and a possible gas tax.
"Half of our residents don't use (the bridge) on a regular basis," McFarlin said. "I'm happy it's a state road."
Other Pinellas beach access bridges have used federal grants as part of their improvements. By using Federal money, individual municipalities are left to help with funds for regular bridge repairs. State money for the project relieves that burden on St. Pete Beach.
Open bids for construction will start this November, with work beginning sometime between January and March 2012.
"It's sad that it is during an economic downturn," McFarlin said. On the other hand, the mayor feels it is good timing because it means new jobs.