The planned 2011 $7.5 million beach renourishment project for 1.5 miles of Anna Maria shoreline will not use Federal money, according to Charlie Hunsicker, ecosystems director at Manatee County. Funding will come from state and county taxation.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection estimated that Anna Maria would need to provide another 40 parking spaces for public use and access in order to qualify for state funding.
Florida Department of Transportation announced that the start of the Anna Maria Bridge renovations has been delayed until Feb 4. A new contract with Quinn Construction Co of Palmetto calls for the bridge on Manatee Avenue, or State Road 64, connecting Anna Maria Island to the mainland and Bradenton, to be closed completely to vehicles for 45 days.
Originally announced last year to begin April 1, the closure was to be 75 days, but