Historic Downtown Bridge to Be Replaced

The historic 12th Avenue bridge is coming down.

The Bradenton Herald reports that the old bridge is being replaced as part of an overall project to dredge Wares Creek, increase the creek's capacity and end flooding.

One part of the old bridge is being salvaged: its handrail. The handrail will be used on the new bridge, according to the Herald. The new bridge should be completed by August 2013.

The demolition of the old bridge is the most visible sign right now of the Cedar Hammock-Wares Creek Flood project.

According to the Herald:

"It is all an integrated concept as part of the dredging of the creek," engineering section manager Jim McLellan said. "Without improvement to the bridges, it would create a 'pinch point.' By replacing them with structures that have more carrying capacity, it increases the creek's capacity to carry water, avoiding flooding."

After the new 12th Avenue bridge is built, work will begin on replacig the 14th Avenue bridge, the Herald reports.

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