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Southbound John’s Pass bridge section to open soon
By TOM GERMOND
Article published on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2008
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![[Image]](/content_images/081908_bhb-01.jpg) |
| Photo by TOM GERMOND |
| Work continues on the John’s Pass Bascule Bridge still scheduled to be completed in early 2010. |
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PINELLAS COUNTY - The Florida Department of Transportation plans to open the new southbound section of the John’s Pass Bascule Bridge on Sept. 2, weather permitting,
All traffic will then be moved to the new southbound bridge.
Though work is slightly behind schedule on the entire John’s Pass Bascule Bridge project, the contractor expects to make up the time, said FDOT spokeswoman Kris Carson, in an e-mail.
“There are still two years that the contractor can use to make up the time,” she said. “Some of the ways contractors typically gain time is through adding additional crews, techniques learned and having materials on hand and ready.”
The second bridge (northbound) is expected to open early to mid-2010, which is within the official contract time. To date, 22 weather days have been granted which has been added to the schedule, she said.
Flatiron Construction Corp. of Longmont, Colo., the prime contractor for this project, is working on hooking up the motors on the new bridge and finishing up the control tower.
The contractor is also working on “balancing” the bridge, something that has to be done to make sure the bridge leaves come together properly, Carson said.
The $77 million, 875-foot-long bridge replacement project is expected to increase the horizontal navigational clearance from 60 feet to 100 feet in width and will provide a 27-foot vertical clearance over the channel without acquiring additional right of way.
The increased clearance will allow for the passage of additional vessels while lifting the drawbridge less often.
The typical section includes two lanes of travel in each direction, 8-foot sidewalks, 10-foot outside shoulders, and 4-foot inside shoulders.
John’s Pass Bridge connects Treasure Island with Madeira Beach.
The bridge carries approximately 17,000 vehicles a day.
John’s Pass Bridge has undergone two major repairs over the past two decades and is being replaced after nearly four decades of service to Pinellas County motorists.
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Article published on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2008
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