CORTEZ, Fla. (WWSB) – For nearly 70 years, the Cortez drawbridge has served as a gateway connecting the historic fishing village of Cortez to Anna Maria Island.
Now, major changes are underway as the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) moves forward with a $123 million fixed-span replacement project designed to ease one of the Suncoast’s most notorious traffic bottlenecks.
While many drivers and business owners welcome the promise of relief, the transition carries bittersweet feelings for residents who see the iconic crossing as a defining symbol of “Old Florida.”
Daily Gridlock on Cortez Road
For locals and visitors alike, drawbridge openings create an all-too-familiar headache: a single passing boat can instantly bring Cortez Road to a standstill…