After two years, the Fort Hamer Bridge in Manatee County is finally finished and open to traffic. 

  • New Manatee County bridge opens to traffic
  • The Fort Hamer Bridge project is completed after two years
  • Residents hopeful & doubtful about the functionality of the bridge

Manatee County officials held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the completed project. The bridge opened to traffic at 11 a.m.

However, officials did briefly open the bridge during Hurricane Irma evacuations, so residents got an idea of how their new commute will be. And while some say they are excited, others say they can already foresee traffic problems. 

"It's been a long time coming, a very, very long time--too long. We're very excited," Manatee County resident Camille Perry said. 

Perry has watched and anxiously waited over the last two years as crews built the brand new bridge in Manatee County. 

The Fort Hamer Bridge extends over 2,300 feet across the Manatee River, connecting Fort Hamer Road to upper Manatee River Road. 

"We're talking how convenient Lakewood Ranch will be. We're talking it used to be 30 minutes, now we're looking at 15 at the most. University Town Center, we don't even have to get on the highway," Perry said. 

While Perry is excited for the new route, some of her neighbors aren't as thrilled. Even though the Fort Hamer Bridge boasts paved bike lanes, improved shoulders, a sidewalk, and turn lanes at the north and south approaches, Gary Norbury said he thinks Manatee County planners forgot one major thing. 

"As far as traffic, it's going to be a big concern here. Whey they didn't spend the money not to widen this up on Manatee River Road, I'll never know--it's crazy," Norbury said. 

While residents will have to wait and see how traffic actually flows once the bridge opens, Manatee officials said they expect the new bridge to bring a lot of relief to the growing area.