About the New Bridge

The new Matlacha Bridge single-leaf movable bridge is similar in design and height to the existing bridge, providing 50 feet horizontal and 9 feet vertical clearance for boats in the closed position.    The new bridge will be about 4 feet wider than the existing and will provide two 11-foot wide travel lanes, one in each direction.    Five-foot wide shoulders will be provided on both sides of the bridge.  Five-foot wide sidewalks, separated from the shoulder by a barrier will also be provided on both sides of the bridge.

The shoulders on the bridge will allow passage of two lanes of traffic in the event of a vehicular accident or breakdown on the bridge.  Emergency vehicles will be able to cross the bridge more quickly since vehicles in travel lanes will be able to pull over onto the shoulders.

An auxiliary lane is proposed at each end of the bridge on the south side to provide a space for vehicles to slow down or stop while negotiating parking without disrupting traffic in the through lane. Similarly, these auxiliary lanes provide a space for vehicles to back out of parking spaces and hold while negotiating pulling out into through lanes.  The additional bridge width required for the auxiliary lanes is also required to allow two lanes of traffic to be maintained during construction.

Construction Issues

Construction of the new bridge will take approximately two years.  Traffic will be maintained on the existing bridge during this time; however, some temporary unavoidable closings will be required.

Bridge closings will be scheduled during off-peak traffic hours. During about 16 months of construction, the County right-of-way in front of the Bridgewater Inn will be closed to parking so that equipment can access the area and perform construction activities.

After construction of the new bridge and demolition of the existing bridge are complete, construction of restroom facilities are planned for the former Snook Inn site.