Project manager Tom Charles admits to feeling good about the progress of the $32.69 million bridge project that will link Lakewood Ranch and Parrish, giving Manatee County another much needed north-south corridor.
The Fort Hamer Bridge is about one-fifth completed with 400 feet of two-lane concrete decking and sidewalks poured from the north terminus to pier 16. The bridge now arches toward an island in midstream, where it will eventually touch down before curving toward Upper Manatee River Road on the south shore. Despite the recent heavy rain challenges, the project should be completed by early 2017.
When completed, the bridge will have 19 piers. So far, four piers are completed with the fifth to be poured by month's end when the contractor, Johnson Brothers Corp. of Hillsborough County, pauses for the holidays and returns January 4th. Before long, construction workers will be able to drive on the portion of road deck that has been completed, which will assist with the project.
For residents of The Islands, located immediately adjacent to the new Ft. Hamer Bridge along the Manatee River, the new bridge is life changing. This previously secluded paradise is one of the only places in Florida where you can still live in a gated community, on a half-acre+ homesite with a private boat dock in our backyard. Packages are starting from the $900s, with home and homesites on the river starting at $1.2 million. The Ft. Hamer Bridge now opens the door to the surrounding area, eliminating 20 minutes of extra travel time to this pristine paradise.
The Islands is now ideally located within 5 minutes of Lakewood Ranch and a short driving distance to the coastal cities of Sarasota, St. Petersburg and Tampa.
To preview the location of The Islands and learn more, click here.
