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Bridge Plan Revealed

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By ANGELA DELGADO, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 2, 2008

TOWN 'N COUNTRY - The replacement of the Old Memorial Highway Bridge over Double Branch Creek has been a feat six years in the making.

Tuesday night, Hillsborough County staff and employees of the engineering consulting firm Wade Trim showed a handful of residents what those six years of planning and designing has produced.

The original bridge was built in 1962 and is 26.25 feet wide without sidewalks or bike lanes. It was closed in August after staff members deemed it unfit because it didn't meet safety standards.

Although the initial plan was to close the bridge until a new span was built, concerns that the bridge was the only hurricane escape route for surrounding residents led the county commission to order a repair of the bridge.

Less than $200,000 and roughly three months of repairs later, the bridge was reopened.

The county is proposing a design that will provide drivers with 12-foot-wide lanes, 6.5-foot shoulders and a 5-foot sidewalk on each side. Construction would ideally begin late this year and be completed a year later. The project will cost $3.7 million.

Some of the attendees of the meeting at Alonso High School, 8302 Montague St., were in favor of the bridge but were concerned about the construction timeline.

Doreen Gonzales, president of the Countrychase Home Owners Association, and John Romero, a resident of Countrychase, said the Old Memorial Bridge was essential for their neighborhood when hurricanes flooded their alternative evacuation route.

Gonzales said rescue crews have had to evacuate people via rowboat because the neighborhood was under so much water.

Because the residents recognize the need for a new bridge, they are curious whether there are alternatives to closing the bridge entirely during its yearlong replacement.

Romero offered two potential alternatives: a prefabricated steel bridge, or a concrete modular span. He admitted he was unsure whether either would work for the area but they wanted the county to consider the possibility so residents wouldn't be without the bridge during hurricane season.

"If construction lasts during hurricane season, people will get stranded," he said. "So a short construction time is crucial."

The meeting Tuesday night was not only to show residents the plans but also to get input from the community.

Paul Spence of Wade Trim, which did the roadway design, said construction plans don't accommodate a temporary bridge, but "it may change based on public input."

Reporter Angela Delgado can be reached at (813) 865-1501 or adelgado@tampatrib.com.

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