by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
The City Council unanimously urged last week the Florida Department of Transportation to “replace or alter the grating of the Mathews Bridge.”
A long-time public concern, FDOT officials confirmed Thursday that those steps are currently being taken.
“We’ve seen the legislation and we plan to respond,” said FDOT spokesperson Mike Goldman, “but there are a variety of options and we are reviewing all of them. Those discussions are probably taking place as we speak.”
Goldman said the FDOT had been studying ways to improve the bridge for some time, but the Council’s concerns bolstered those efforts.
“Absolutely,” he said. “Their resolution is a reinforcing indicator that we should be looking at the issues associated with the bridge.”
However, Goldman was unsure when specific improvements would be announced or when any work would begin.
“Again, that’s still under discussion and it will be a complicated process no matter how we decide to move forward,” he said. “All I can say is that we’ll get started at the appropriate time.”
Improvements, said Goldman, could include adding more traction on the bridge, installing signage that would caution drivers about the grating or possibly plugging individual grates to make them more stable and drivable.
No cost estimates have been released, though earlier this month Goldman said bridge work could cost more than $12 million.
“We know it’s problem,” said Goldman. “Yes, the bridge is antiquated — they aren’t even built with grating anymore — but there isn’t going to be a simple solution. We have to carefully consider every option before we do anything.
“Any work we do is going to be considered a major project and there will be obvious traffic impacts that include lane closings and detours.”
City Council member Lake Ray, who sponsored the Council resolution, said earlier this month that he considered the bridge “a hazard,” but that he was pleased that the FDOT was taking responsibility for it.
“This is a very serious problem,” said Ray, “but I think it’s very positive that the FDOT is taking care of it. It sends the right message that they are listening to our concerns.”
Ray said he was hopeful the FDOT would determine the best course of improvement action shortly and that they would get started on the bridge by Dec. 1.
“That’s my personal goal,” he said. “I think it would be very wise if we could make improvements before the really heavy traffic returns for the holidays.”
Goldman said a construction time line has not been finalized.