Repaired Myakka Bridge reopens ahead of schedule

Myakka Bridge reopened on Dec. 20--almost a week ahead of schedule--after major structural repairs were completed. The 56-year-old bridge was closed to traffic on Nov. 19 for emergency repairs. A final inspection has deemed the bridge safe to reopen to traffic.
For several days there will be intermittent lane closures on the bridge during the day, while the contractor demobilizes at the site.
The two-lane bridge over the Myakka River is located east of Interstate 75, about 2.1 miles south of Fruitville Road on Myakka Road. The need for structural repairs was identified during the Nov. 18 biennial inspection by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), which found that the bridge deck and beams had shifted on the bridge supports since the last inspection two years ago. For the safety of the public, Mobility officials conducted an inspection the following morning and immediately took steps to close the bridge to traffic while repairs were underway.