Construction of New Cortez Bridge Set to Begin by Summer 2026
Construction on the long-awaited replacement for the aging Cortez Bridge is expected to begin by next summer, according to state transportation officials. The Florida Department of Transportation has confirmed that the project’s letting date—when construction bids will be accepted—is scheduled for March 25, 2026. Once underway, the work is expected to take about 1,200 days, or just over three years, to complete.
The $143 million project includes $7.9 million for design and $135.3 million for construction. The new bridge will replace the existing 1956 bascule drawbridge, which connects Bradenton Beach and Cortez along State Road 684. FDOT’s design calls for a 65-foot fixed-span bridge that will eliminate the need for movable parts, reducing long-term maintenance costs and traffic delays caused by frequent bridge openings.
Built just north of the existing bridge, the new span will feature two 12-foot travel lanes, two 10-foot shoulders, and two 10-foot sidewalks to improve access for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. The current bridge, with only 17 feet of clearance, is considered functionally obsolete.
To minimize disruptions, Manatee County and FDOT are coordinating utility and construction schedules so that only one of the three bridges to Anna Maria Island is under major construction at a time. As part of early preparation, Manatee County’s Public Works Department is relocating a 24-inch water main and a 20-inch force main along the south side of the bridge to make way for the new structure.
Environmental permits for the project are still pending, but are expected to be finalized before construction bidding begins. FDOT officials say the bridge will comply with federal and state protections for endangered species, including Gulf sturgeon, manatees, sea turtles, and smalltooth sawfish. Seagrass impacts have already been mitigated.
Under the current construction plan, crews will first build half of the new bridge north of the existing one. Once that portion is complete, the old bridge will be demolished, and the remaining half of the new span will be constructed. Throughout the project, traffic will continue to flow, and boat passage beneath the bridge will be maintained in accordance with U.S. Coast Guard guidelines.
To ease congestion during construction, the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau is expanding transportation options, including launching a third Gulf Islands Ferry. “With the additional ferry coming online, we’re helping to reduce traffic and provide more ways for residents and visitors to experience our coastal communities,” said BACVB Executive Director Elliott Falcione in an email.
For additional information, including timelines, renderings, and a 3D animation of the Cortez Bridge replacement project, visit www.swflroads.com/project/430204-2.
