Local officials hailed the opening of the Fort Hamer Bridge as a historic event for Manatee County and praised the new bridge's benefits to the community during a ribbon cutting event yesterday morning. The bridge was opened to traffic by 11am the same day. The bridge creates faster routes for emergency responders, a new evacuation route for East Manatee residents and it will alleviate some traffic on U.S. 301, Interstate 75 and Rye Road. County Commissioners broke ground to begin the project on March 19, 2015. The $32 million project was funded entirely through local dollars and includes the bridge, and improvements to Upper Manatee River Road and Fort Hamer Road. The Fort Hamer Bridge extends nearly one-half mile across the Manatee River and connects Upper Manatee River Road to Fort Hamer Road. It includes 5-foot sidewalks and 4-foot paved bike lanes. The bridge is the longest span to be designed and maintained by Manatee County

Fort Hamer Bridge