Pinellas to fund bridge replacement projects

Pinellas County plans to demolish and replace the bridge connecting Ridgemoor Boulevard and Brooker Creek, as part of the regional effort to improve and update the aging infrastructure network. 

During a Tuesday Pinellas County Commission meeting, officials will review a three-party escrow agreement for the construction of a new 135-foot-long bridge in Palm Harbor’s East Lake community. 

Pinellas County and the Florida Department of Transportation would share the costs of the design, construction and inspection services of the new bridge, located in the county’s right of way.

The Ridgemoor Boulevard and Brooker Creek bridge location identified by a teal-colored dot. All images: Pinellas County. 

The county would contribute just under $3 million while FDOT would provide $3.75 million to fully fund the $6.7 million project. 

The county would be responsible for any costs over the estimated total; however, the county can terminate the agreement if the additional funds are unavailable.

Pending the funding agreement approval, FDOT’s contractor is expected to commence construction in June 2025.

The county will also review the first amendment funding agreement for the Madonna Boulevard Bridge replacement. 

The Madonna Boulevard Bridge. 

The Madonna Boulevard Bridge provides the only access to Pine Key community in Tierra Verde. It was originally constructed in 1957 and repaired in 1973 and 2005. Preliminary engineering reports show the existing 120-foot-long bridge is nearing the end of its useful life. The county plans to build a 180-foot-long bridge with three equal spans of 60 feet to help improve water flow. 

Pinellas has an existing joint contract with Orlando-based construction firm DRMP Inc. and Tampa-based engineering firm Kisinger Campo and Associates Corp. for the project. 

The contract calls for professional engineering services to prepare the design, construction plans and post-design services. The altered agreement would provide additional funding to design the relocation of the reclaimed water line at the sites. 

Last year, commissioners approved a roughly $890,000-plus contract with DRMP and a roughly $1.1 million contract with Kisinger Campo and Associates. 

The new amendment increases the budget for 13th Street side of the bridge by $43,723 and $62,824 for the Madonna Boulevard project portion.