STEVE REID
Editor & Publisher
sreid@lbknews.com
For residents of Longboat Key, the view from the windshield is about to change dramatically. In a sweeping update on the future of island infrastructure, Town officials and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) have outlined a series of massive projects—from a new fixed-span Cortez Bridge to a roundabout at the north end—that promise to modernize travel but will require patience during years of construction.
According to a recent memo detailing the state of the island’s arteries, the next five to ten years will be defined by heavy machinery, detours, and ultimately, a free-flowing drive devoid of drawbridge delays.
Here is what you need to know about the road ahead.
The End of the Drawbridge Delay: Cortez Bridge Replacement
The days of sitting idle while the Cortez Bridge opens for boat traffic are numbered. The most significant regional investment on the docket is the complete replacement of the aging drawbridge with a 65-foot-high fixed-span bridge.
Designed to create a “free-flow condition,” the project eliminates the bottleneck that has long plagued peak-season commuters. FDOT has already poured $6.7 million into engineering and design, with the total construction cost estimated at a staggering $129.9 million.
What to expect:
• Timeline: Bids for the project open in late March 2026. Construction is expected to begin three to six months later.
• Duration: Buckle up for the long haul—construction is slated to last approximately 3 years and 4 months, with a tentative completion date between late 2029 and early 2030.
• The Experience: Once finished, the new bridge will be built alongside the current one, eventually allowing drivers to glide over the Intracoastal without stopping.
Immediate Impact: Night Work on the Causeway
While the Cortez project is on the horizon, construction is already underway on the south end. Work began in January 2026 on the Ringling Causeway, specifically from Bird Key Drive to Sunset Drive.
This project is adding dedicated bicycle and transit lanes, upgrading drainage, and raising the seawall cap near Sunset Drive. For drivers, the immediate impact is nighttime lane closures.
Traffic Alert:
• Closures: Expect lane closures on weekdays and weekends from 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
• Speed: The speed limit will remain 35 mph throughout the construction zone.
• Finish Line: Completion is expected by early 2027.
The Broadway Roundabout and North End Resurfacing
The north end of the island is also getting a major facelift. What began as a plan for a simple roundabout at Broadway Street has expanded into a “Complete Street” corridor project covering 2,000 feet of roadway.
The project will elevate the road, improve drainage, and install a roundabout designed to slow traffic and provide safer crossings for pedestrians and cyclists. However, officials warn that the “Maintenance of Traffic” during the 18-month construction window will be “complex.”
What to expect:
• Timeline: Bids open in August 2026, with construction likely starting late 2026 or early 2027.
• Resurfacing Delayed: Consequently, the resurfacing of Gulf of Mexico Drive (GMD) from the county line to North Shore Road has been deferred to 2029 to avoid conflicting with the roundabout work.
Smoother Rides and Brighter Nights on GMD
For the southern and middle portions of the island, relief is coming sooner. A full-width resurfacing of SR 789 from Longboat Club Road to the Sarasota/Manatee County line is scheduled for the 2027 fiscal year.
This $6.3 million project isn’t just about smooth asphalt. It aims to restore bike lanes to a minimum of 4 feet wide and install new reflective pavement markings (RPMs). Town staff noted that these small plastic reflectors will “help significantly at night,” citing the recent improvements at the Country Club Shores turn lane as a prime example of how much safer night driving can be with proper visibility.
The Battle for the Longboat Pass Bridge
Looking further north to the connection with Coquina Beach, FDOT is finalizing a study on replacing the Longboat Pass Bridge. The 1957 structure is nearing the end of its life, and FDOT has a clear preference: a high-span fixed bridge.
The numbers drive the decision. A high fixed bridge is estimated to cost $138 million—significantly cheaper than the various drawbridge options, which range from $176 million to $194 million.
Get Involved:
FDOT plans to hold final public meetings on this topic on March 12 (in-person) and March 17 (virtual). Residents concerned about the design or wishing to influence the amenities are strongly encouraged to attend.
The “Complete Street” Dream
Finally, the Town continues to push for a “Complete Street” vision for the entire 10-mile stretch of GMD, featuring a 12-foot wide multi-use trail on the east side. While federal funding requires a lengthy study process, the Town Commission is exploring a bold strategy: funding and building segments of the trail locally to accelerate the timeline.
By breaking the project into chunks, the Town hopes to prove the concept and speed up the delivery of a safer, more walkable island, rather than waiting until the mid-2030s for federal aid.
