Back in January we reported that the state of Florida has not been given the green light to consider a Matanzas Pass Bridge option that would include a cantilever, allowing the state to expand the lane coming over the bridge to the beach for pedestrian and bike traffic. As of Monday that has not changed.
We checked in with the state on Monday to see of the plan with the wider lane was being considered as an option yet and we were told it is not.
FDOT Representative Chris Speece recently told the Fort Myers Beach town council the reason they are only seeing the option (pictured in this story) with no room for pedestrian and bike traffic was because the wider lane option (with the cantilever) was being evaluated by the F.D.O.T. in Tallahassee.
That option is getting an extra long look due to the building collapse in South Florida and other issues around the country with bridges. Speece said the state was doing a corrosion inspection.
Residents and concerned citizens can send comments on the project to the state through Thursday of this week by contacting the FDOT Project Manager Richard Oujevolk by e-mail at Richard.Oujevolk@dot.state.fl.us or by calling him at (863) 519-2293.
We have added a special page on our website under the issues tab where you can follow all the stories on this project. CLICK HERE.