Residents of the island can expect a substantial completion date for the new Matlacha Bridge sometime this November.
Sarah Clarke, project manager, said about 70 percent of the construction of the bridge is completed. She said the construction crew is currently working to complete the first phase of the project, so the new bridge can be opened to traffic.
Once the new bridge is completed and open to traffic, Clarke said workers will then demolish and remove the existing bridge, so they can complete the remainder of the new bridge.
The construction of the new bridge, which includes a lower entrance and exit off the bridge than the old one, has been done to avoid impacts to the adjacent properties.
"The road will shift to the south, closer to the Bridgewater Inn and the Snook Inn property," Clarke said. "The road was lowered to match the elevation of those properties."
She advised residents to continue to observe the posted speed limits in the construction zone and remember that pedestrians in crosswalks have the right of way.
For more information about the progress of the bridge visit http://matlachabridge.info.
