New Pass bridge openings to be necessary for testing of updated equipment, FDOT says

Project began on March 21; testing is to continue through mid-May

State Road 789 crosses New Pass between St. Armands Key and Longboat Key. Image from Google Maps

On March 21, crews began updating the bridge tender house, electrical and mechanical components, and traffic gates on the New Pass bridge on State Road 789, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has announced.

Sidewalk improvements are another facet of the project, a news release says.

“As part of ongoing construction and to test the new electrical and mechanical components, the contractor is required to open the bridge four times per day,” the release says. “In an effort to minimize impacts to the public,” the contractor will complete the required daily four openings between 6:30 a.m. and 8 a.m. Monday through Sunday, the release adds. “The testing period is expected to last through mid-May,” the release notes.

“If the required number of openings cannot be obtained during this time period,” the release continues, the contractor will make use of daytime openings during the normal movements of boat traffic. “Moving forward we will make every effort to plan all coastal bridge projects start dates to avoid peak tourist season,” the release stresses.

Construction of this $2-million project began in late August 2016 and is expected to be complete in late spring, the release points out. Quinn Construction is the contractor.