New Cortez Bridge Project Moves Forward: What the $130M Upgrade Means for Anna Maria Island Traffic

Construction on a long-anticipated replacement for the aging Cortez Bridge is expected to begin this summer, marking a major infrastructure milestone for western Manatee County and the Anna Maria Island corridor.

According to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), the project will deliver a new, high-level fixed-span bridge connecting the historic fishing village of Cortez Village to Bradenton Beach and the barrier island communities beyond. The total investment is expected to exceed $130 million, with construction projected to last a little more than three years.

Why the Cortez Bridge Needs Replacing

Originally built in 1956, the existing Cortez Bridge has reached the end of its useful life. FDOT has cited structural and functional deficiencies, including safety concerns, limited capacity, and the operational challenges created by its drawbridge design. Frequent drawbridge openings for marine traffic regularly halt vehicles on State Road 684, contributing to backups that ripple across the island during peak travel periods.

What the New Bridge Will Look Like

The replacement structure will be a 65-foot-high fixed bridge, eliminating the need for drawbridge openings altogether. Key design features include:

• Two 12-foot travel lanes
• 10-foot shoulders on each side for disabled vehicles and emergency access
• 10-foot sidewalks, significantly improving pedestrian and cyclist safety
• A modern fixed-span design that allows most marine traffic to pass underneath without stopping cars

FDOT studies indicate that with the higher clearance, approximately 98% of boat traffic will be able to pass under the bridge without disrupting vehicle flow—compared to roughly one-third under the current bridge.

Emergency Access and Everyday Traffic Relief

One of the most significant operational improvements is the addition of shoulders, which the current bridge lacks. This change will allow emergency vehicles to bypass congestion, a critical upgrade for island residents and visitors alike—especially during medical emergencies, evacuations, or severe weather events.

Local officials believe the improvements will help ease daily congestion, particularly during tourist season when Anna Maria Island traffic routinely backs up for miles.

How Construction Will Be Managed

To minimize disruptions, FDOT plans to construct the new bridge immediately north of the existing structure, allowing traffic to continue using the current bridge during most of the construction period. While some delays are inevitable, officials say traffic management plans will be adjusted throughout the project to reduce impacts on commuters, businesses, and visitors.

Community Concerns and Final Design Decisions

In earlier planning stages, residents raised concerns about the bridge’s height, visual scale, and potential impacts on the character of Cortez Village and surrounding neighborhoods. FDOT ultimately selected the 65-foot fixed-span option after evaluating safety, long-term cost, walkability, and traffic efficiency, concluding that eliminating the drawbridge offered the greatest overall benefit.

What Happens Next

The design phase, estimated at roughly $6 million, is expected to conclude in March, at which point FDOT will begin accepting construction bids. Actual construction costs are currently estimated at around $128 million, with funding already programmed through the state transportation system.

Once completed, the new Cortez Bridge is expected to serve the region for decades, improving safety, reducing traffic stoppages, and creating a more reliable gateway between the mainland and Anna Maria Island.

For residents, businesses, and visitors who have long endured drawbridge delays, the project represents a major step toward smoother—and safer—travel to the island.

Photo from AMI Sun