After Gasparilla Island endures a month of single-lane traffic starting Jan. 22 it will be looking at less than four weeks before the new South Bridge opens fully sometime in March.
But motorists will be on at least one lane of the new bridge in five days starting about noon Tuesday, Jan. 22.
"South Bridge drivers will notice a temporary 30-foot long approach transition," said Jim Cooper, Gasparilla Island Bridge authority executive director. "This slightly rough road surface patch area is just prior to entering the new, smooth-surface South Bridge Deck."
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Jim Cooper
Upon completion of the project in late March, an asphalt layer will be added to smooth the final surface and correct this minor flaw, Cooper said.
Flagmen will be used with two new traffic signals at each end of the new South Bridge at least through Feb. 21. One message board set near North Village and another set about 1,500 feet prior to the north end of the bridge will offer the latest information updates.
Thirteen nights of work are scheduled during the 30-day single-lane period.
Fact Box
Bridge construction keys
Prime fixed-bridge contractor: Orion Marine Construction of Tampa
Start: Construction began March 12, 2012, on Center and South fixed bridges
South Bridge completion: March 2013
Center Bridge completion: December 2013
Swing Bridge completion: January 2016
Construction for all bridges is nearing the halfway point. GIBA reported Jan. 14 on Day 302 of the 638-day project that Orion Marine Construction crews have the tri-bridge project 48 percent complete.
The finish date for the new South Bridge remains March 2013, completion for the 800-foot-long Center Bridge remains December 2013 and the Swing Bridge should be done by January 2016.
South Bridge progress notes
Asphalt paving complete Jan. 9.
Bridge painting set for Jan. 9-15.
North end roadway nearly finished.
New bridge rail embedded lighting for the 5-foot pedestrian sidewalk completed.
Center Bridge progress notes
Orion crews have formed concrete pedestal pads for I-beams to sit upon. Finish work on other Center Bridge structures is being completed.
I-Beam work has begun. Beams are custom-engineered for the GIBA to support the final traffic deck. There are six spans with four beams supporting the new deck under each span. Each span length is 137 feet long by 63 inches tall.
