Platt Street Bridge Reconstruction On Time And On Budget!

 
It's been almost 105 days since the Platt Street Bridge closed for much needed maintenance and repairs, and on Tuesday, Jan. 17, it is expected to re-open to commuters. The bridge will open to traffic in the early hours of Tuesday morning following the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. The scope of work done during this complete closure focused on replacement of the drawbridge mechanical components.
 
Occasional individual road closures and lane shifts will still occur, as before the full bridge closure last October, until the reconstruction is fully completed in Spring 2012. The remaining work includes restoring the tender house, installing vintage street lighting, overall painting, and updating other electrical components.
 
The total budget for the project is $13.8 million, which is funded by Community Investment Tax proceeds and federal grants.
 
The complete rehabilitation of the 85-year-old Platt Street Bridge in downtown Tampa was required as it had outlived its normal useful life span, and needed to be upgraded to current standards. Ongoing work has closed lanes of the bridge since January 2011. When the work is completed, the Bridge will be restored to its original functionality and historical appearance. The Platt Street Bridge has not had major maintenance work performed since the 1990s.