At a meeting of the Siesta Key Association, Florida Department of Transportation officials explained schedules and answered questions about upcoming repairs to the Siesta Key North Bridge
By ChrisAnn Allen
They acknowledged the concerns.
“We totally want to minimize that fear factor,” Barbara Catlin, community outreach manager for the Florida Department of Transportation, said Feb. 12 during a monthly meeting of the Siesta Key Association community group. The association invited members of the construction team scheduled to begin repairs on the Siesta Key North Bridge, along with FDOT public information officers, to explain the process.
Christopher McInnis, construction project manager, said repairs are scheduled to begin March 12 and run through Sept. 28, weather permitting. Daytime working hours will be 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., though traffic is not expected to be affected. Night operations will run from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
“When a lane closure is needed, a single-lane flagging operation will be utilized, per the contract documents,” he said. “Most of the work is going to be underneath the bridge and will be done at night.” Work on the bridge decks that could affect traffic will also take place at night, according to McInnis.
“Work that impacts the traveling public — both vehicle and vessel — will take place Monday through Friday,” he said. If nighttime operations affecting vehicular traffic are needed on weekends, a 14-day notice will be given. Boat traffic is expected to be minimally affected and not require alternative routes. However, if bridge openings for tall vessels are disrupted, a 30-day notice will be provided to the U.S. Coast Guard when vertical or horizontal clearance is affected.
“One lane will be open at all times, unless the bridge is raised,” McInnis said.
Juan Carrillo, construction manager, said nighttime work will be limited to about three weeks and is planned for later in the project, outside of peak season.
McInnis said he was not authorized to address broader questions about the bridge’s lifespan, traffic studies or additional repairs beyond the current project scope.
One attendee said the community is “gun shy,” referencing traffic issues during repairs to the Siesta Key South Bridge. “We understand because we lived through that project with you,” Catlin responded, noting most lane closures will occur overnight. “The impact is going to be minimal,” she said. “We’ll give you advance warning if anything affects daytime traffic.”
Bob Luckner, a Siesta Key Association director, suggested the construction team coordinate with Sgt. Daniel Smith of the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, who oversees the island substation and could help share information about the project.
Nancy Morgan, FDOT community outreach manager, said officials typically know about closures a week in advance. Information will be shared through traffic advisories distributed to news media, social media and the FDOT website.
According to FDOT, project improvements include concrete crack and chip repair; structural steel repair; maintenance of mechanical and electrical systems; cathodic protection to prevent corrosion of steel reinforcement within concrete; and test bridge openings coordinated with normal openings when possible.
Weekly road watch updates will be posted on the FDOT website. FDOT also shares updates on its Facebook and Instagram accounts.
