West Winterberry Drive Bridge Project Update

For residents tracking the potential start time for the replacement of the West Winterberry Bridge (Smokehouse Creek Bridge), a slight reprieve may be in the offing, according to interim Public Works Director Mike Daniel. 

At the recent Marco Island City Council meeting, interim Public Works Director Mike Daniel updated councilors on the progress of the West Winterberry Bridge project, and made a request. 

Daniel reported that they had completed the design work for the bridge and were seeking permission to delay the bidding for the project until December 2022.  He provided several reasons for the requested delay, which would push the project’s start date to May/June 2023, therefore not impacting the seasonal traffic flows in 2023.   

Delays are anticipated due to the shortage of necessary construction materials. Currently, items such as steel rebar have a 4 to 5-month backlog, as well as Class 5 concrete, which is required for bridge construction.  

The cost for the bridge is estimated at $3.5 million. In 2021, the city received a grant from the State of Florida as a result of state lobbyist Ron Book’s efforts during the 2021 session of the Florida Legislature. Book had recommended that this infrastructure request would be favorably received as part of the budgetary process, as it was also strongly supported by the Collier County Metropolitan Planning Organization.

The total project cost is approximately $3.5 million, with $1.7 million in state funding and $1.8 million approved in the city’s 2022 budget, which will be rolled into the fiscal year 2023 budget.

The city is in contact with the State of Florida to ensure the requested delay will not jeopardize the $1.7 million state funding grant. Staff will report back to council if the delay would present a problem.

The project will include widening the bridge to provide improved access for pedestrians and bicyclists, as well as replacement of the utility lines.