What Changed While You Were Up North: The Cortez Bridge Replacement and Getting On and Off the Island This Season

What's Happening With the Cortez Bridge?

The Florida Department of Transportation is replacing the Cortez drawbridge on State Road 684 (Cortez Road) with a 65-foot fixed-span bridge. Construction was scheduled to begin in early September 2026, and the project is expected to take roughly four years.

The project covers about 0.9 miles, including the bridge itself and the roadway approaches on both sides, from Gulf Drive (SR 789) in Bradenton Beach to 123rd Street West on the Cortez side. FDOT puts the construction cost at approximately $123 million, with a timeline of about 1,200 days.

The good news for the long run: a fixed span means most boats pass underneath without the bridge lifting, so the drawbridge backups that can stretch down Cortez Road during season should eventually go away. The new bridge is also designed with wider shoulders for pedestrians and cyclists.

The short-term reality: expect construction equipment, lane shifts, and changing traffic patterns near both ends of the bridge for the foreseeable future.

Will the Cortez Bridge Stay Open?

Yes. FDOT is building the new bridge in two phases specifically so traffic keeps moving the whole time.

Phase 1: Crews build the northern half of the new bridge right alongside the existing drawbridge. When that half is finished, traffic moves onto it. FDOT currently expects that first traffic shift by the end of 2026.

Phase 2: The old drawbridge comes down, and crews finish the southern half of the new bridge. The second traffic shift is currently anticipated in mid-2028.

In both phases, most of the heavy work happens from the water using barges and temporary trestles, which is a big part of how the existing bridge stays open.

What You'll Notice on the Road This Season

During Phase 1, traffic at both bridge approaches is shifted slightly to the south. That gives crews room to build the new approaches and roadway features on the north side. Phase 1 also includes utility relocations and a new road connection called Hunters Point Way on the mainland side, so expect activity off the main roadway too.

That first traffic shift onto the new bridge half is expected around the end of the year, which lines up right with peak snowbird season. If you drive the bridge regularly, it's worth checking FDOT updates before trips during the holidays.

A few other notes from early construction:

• Pedestrians are being directed to the south side of the bridge while crews work on the north side.
• The former Seafood Shack property in Cortez is being used as a staging area for equipment and materials.
• The Anna Maria Island Bridge (Manatee Avenue) is next in line for replacement down the road, with bidding currently expected around 2028.

What the New Bridge Will Look Like

This isn't just a concrete span. During design, FDOT worked with a Bridge Aesthetics Committee made up of community representatives from Cortez and Bradenton Beach, including local business owners, condo and mobile home communities, and the Bradenton Beach mayor. Their recommendations (which FDOT notes could still change in final design) include:

• Four overlooks, on the north and south sides near the main channel, for taking in the view on foot
• Lighting on the pier columns underneath the bridge
• A custom wave-pattern design on the pedestrian railings
• Sculpted, multi-column piers designed to look more polished than a standard highway bridge

For a community that's had a lot of feelings about losing the old drawbridge, it's good to know locals had a real voice in what replaces it.

How to Stay in the Loop

FDOT posts project updates, traffic advisories, and a fact sheet on the official project page at swflroads.com (project 430204-2). You can also sign up for email updates there and send questions directly to the project team. FDOT has also said it will hold a pre-construction information session for the public, with details to be announced on that page.

What This Means for Your First Few Weeks Back

A little planning can make your return to the island easier while traffic patterns settle into the new construction routine.

Build a Little Buffer Into Arrival Day

If you're driving down, the last few miles may take longer than you're used to. Plan your arrival for mid-morning or early afternoon on a weekday if you can, and avoid counting on a quick hop over the bridge to meet a delivery or service appointment.

Consider the Manatee Avenue Route

The Anna Maria Island Bridge and the Longboat Pass Bridge are your alternatives. Depending on where your home is, one may simply be the easier route this season. Holmes Beach and Anna Maria owners may find Manatee Avenue works better on busy days.

Give Your Guests and Vendors a Heads-Up

If family is flying in for the holidays or you've got contractors, cleaners, or deliveries lined up, let them know about the construction so they can plan around it. A missed window because someone got stuck in traffic is frustrating when you've only got a few weeks to get settled.

Let Someone Local Handle the First Stops

This is where having a local team makes arrival a lot smoother. Instead of racing to meet the AC tech, the pool company, and a grocery delivery on the same afternoon, your home watch provider can open the house, run systems, and coordinate access before you ever cross the bridge.

How Coastal Living Property Solutions Helps With Arrival This Season

We're third-generation Gulf Coast locals, so we know these roads, these bridges, and the timing tricks that come with them. Before you arrive, we can:

• Open up your home, run the AC, and check for humidity or moisture issues
• Flush water lines, check for leaks, and confirm appliances are working
• Meet vendors, contractors, or delivery drivers so you don't have to
• Send a detailed, time-stamped report so you know exactly what you're walking into

Because we're backed by a licensed general contractor, if something needs repair before you get here, we can get it handled instead of just flagging it.