Would You Like to See a Bridge at Fort Hamer? Why or Why Not?

The public only has a few more days to voice opinion on the construction of a bridge to extend over the Manatee River from Fort Hamer in Parrish to the Waterlefe Golf and River Club community in Bradenton.

A hearing was held last night at  the Manatee Civic Center. It follows a hearing on anotherproject, Long Bar Pointe Development, on Monday night, which lasted 12 hours, drawing a crowd of nearly 1,000.

There has been talk of putting a bridge in Fort Hamer for a century. However, those plans have seemed closer to reality since the U.S. Coast Guard approved a Draft Environmental Impact Statement, which the public can give feedback on Wednesday night.

Anyone who will not be able to attend the meeting can still comment on the project through August 19.

After the public review period ends, the USCG will decide whether to move forward in developing a Final Environmental Impact Statement.

The bridge has been a subject of contention for years but is a priority for the Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization's Financially Feasible 2030 Long Range Transportation Plan.

Still, many people say the bridge is not needed and its construction would disrupt a recreational park at the end of Fort Hamer Road, where there is also a rowing facility.

What do you think? Comment below or contact the USCG by following the steps: 

All project comments must be submitted to the USCG and must be identified by the docket number - USCG-2010-0455. 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov
• Fax: 202-493-2251
• Mail: Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
• Hand delivery: Same as mail address above, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone number is 202-366-9329.