Treasure Island looks to trade drawbridge for Gulf Boulevard

Treasure Island city commissioners authorized staff on Oct. 20 to begin negotiations with the Florida Department of Transportation regarding a potential swap of infrastructure. Under the proposal, the state would assume ownership of the Treasure Island Causeway bascule bridge, while the city would take over maintenance and control of its section of Gulf Boulevard.

Public Works Director and Assistant City Manager Gary Volenec stated that FDOT initiated the idea. He confirmed the agency's interest with its multimodal administrator the day before the commission meeting. The city's primary motivation is reducing financial burden. Property owners currently pay a half-mill tax to fund bridge maintenance, which costs the city millions of dollars annually. These funds cover structural rehabilitation, mechanical upkeep, hydraulic cylinder replacement, and electrical system repairs.

Volenec told the commission that the bridge is an expensive item to maintain and operate. He noted that while Gulf Boulevard is not easy to maintain, it is substantially less expensive for citizens. He added that the concept is worth exploring. The proposed talks are strictly fact-finding in nature. Their goal is to weigh pros and cons for residents and clarify ongoing maintenance responsibilities. A nonbinding letter from the mayor to FDOT would authorize staff to meet with the agency.

Commissioners voted in favor of moving forward. Mayor John Doctor said he had no issue with trying to lighten the load. Commissioner Chris Clark stated he was a hundred percent in support of the idea. He pointed out that if the city could get rid of the bridge and save money, he was all for it. Commissioner Tammy Vasquez urged staff to move in the fastest way possible. Commissioner Arden Dickey called it a great idea and said the city should definitely pursue it.

Any final agreement would require approval from both the state and the City Commission. The Treasure Island Causeway is 87 years old, having opened in 1939 to spur development and tourism. For decades, motorists paid a toll to cross the art deco-style bascule bridge. Engineering studies in 2002 found the original structure and its approach spans structurally deficient. The bridge closed in 2003 for a $44.4 million replacement project.

Construction on new fixed east and west approach bridges began in late 2003 and finished in 2004. One leaf of the new drawbridge reopened in June 2006. The completed project was dedicated on Aug. 25, 2007, at which point the $1 toll was eliminated. The new bridge retained art deco styling but added a computerized drawbridge operated from a touch-screen monitor. When closed, it provides about 21 feet of vertical clearance.

An estimated 17,000 drivers cross the 1,014-foot bridge each day, totaling roughly 6.2 million vehicles per year. Southland Construction built the current bridge. The project won the FTBA/FDOT Major Bridge Award for Best in Construction in 2007 and ranked No. 7 on Roads & Bridges magazine's list of top 10 bridges that year.