Longboat Key Grapples with Options for New Longboat Pass Bridge

LONGBOAT KEY — Transportation officials are considering three options to replace the aging Longboat Pass Bridge on the north end of Longboat Key, with a decision expected by late 2025. Built in 1957, the bridge has been labeled “functionally obsolete” due to narrow pedestrian pathways and deteriorating materials, prompting the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to explore alternatives.

FDOT initially proposed three replacement options: a low-level bascule bridge standing 23 feet high, a mid-level bascule bridge at 36 feet, and a high fixed-span bridge soaring to 78 feet. Each option varies in cost, with the fixed-span bridge being the least expensive at $93.3 million, while the bascule alternatives range from $147 million to $165 million. The high fixed-span bridge, which would eliminate the need for a drawbridge, is opposed by some residents who feel it would disrupt the area’s character.

Concerns have also been raised by residents of the Northgate condominium complex, where the proposed bridge location would be close to the complex. To address this, FDOT has worked with the town commission to consider design adjustments.

Following months of discussions, the Longboat Key town commission endorsed the mid-level bascule bridge as a compromise, balancing aesthetic considerations with functionality. This mid-level option offers a manageable height while preserving the drawbridge design that aligns with the community’s preferences. FDOT’s study continues as residents and local leaders await a final decision on a structure that will define the town’s northern gateway for decades to come.