Calls For Dept. of Transportation to Provide Vital Federal Funding for Bridge Improvements
WASHINGTON — Today, Congressman Vern Buchanan led a letter to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy in support of Manatee County’s application to the Bridge Investment Program (BIP) for the Fort Hamer Bridge Project. This project is of critical importance to residents, businesses and emergency responders in Florida’s 16th Congressional District. Read the exclusive on Buchanan’s letter in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune here.
“The proposed project will expand the bridge from two lanes to four, add safe pedestrian and bicycle facilities, and improve access for freight and emergency vehicles,” writes Buchanan in the letter. “These improvements will reduce crashes, cut travel delays and provide essential relief for I-75, an especially critical need during hurricane evacuations. During Hurricane Milton in 2024, the Fort Hamer Bridge served as a lifeline for thousands of families under evacuation orders.”
“This project is vital to the future of Manatee County,” said Manatee County Commissioner George Kruse. “Expanding the Fort Hamer Bridge will improve hurricane evacuations, connect residents to jobs and healthcare, and strengthen our supply chains. With Congressman Buchanan’s strong backing, we are confident this investment will deliver lasting benefits for the entire region.”
The BIP provides funding for bridge replacement, rehabilitation, preservation and protection projects that reduce the number of bridges in poor condition, or in fair condition at risk of declining into poor condition. Manatee County’s application to the BIP for the Fort Hamer Bridge Project requests funding for improvement of the second Fort Hamer Bridge.
Manatee County staff submitted a grant application to the United States Department of Transportation in October 2024 totaling $61.6 million to go toward the bridge construction. The total project cost to widen Fort Hamer Road from Upper Manatee River Road to U.S. 301 is $190.5 million.
Read Buchanan’s full letter here or below.
Dear Secretary Duffy,
I am writing in support of Manatee County’s application to the Bridge Investment Program for the Fort Hamer Bridge Project. This project is of critical importance to residents, businesses, and emergency responders in Florida’s 16th Congressional District.
The Fort Hamer Bridge is one of only four crossings over the Manatee River, and since opening in 2017, it has already reached capacity due to rapid population growth east of I-75. Traffic volumes are expected to continue to grow in the coming decades, making expansion essential to avoid gridlock, improve safety, and maintain reliable connections across our community.
The proposed project will expand the bridge from two lanes to four, add safe pedestrian and bicycle facilities, and improve access for freight and emergency vehicles. These improvements will reduce crashes, cut travel delays, and provide essential relief for I-75, an especially critical need during hurricane evacuations. During Hurricane Milton in 2024, the Fort Hamer Bridge served as a lifeline for thousands of families under evacuation orders.
Beyond safety, the project will support the region’s strong economic growth. The bridge connects residents to jobs, schools, healthcare, including two planned hospitals in Parrish, as well as providing an alternate route that relieves congestion on I-75, a major freight corridor. By improving mobility and access, the project will strengthen supply chains and support continued prosperity in Manatee County.
Manatee County has committed local matching funds and has a proven record of successfully delivering federally funded projects. Federal partnership through the Bridge Investment Program will ensure this vital project is delivered in time to meet the needs of our fast-growing community.
I respectfully ask you to give this application your full consideration. Thank you for your leadership as Secretary in advancing transportation investments that improve safety, strengthen supply chains, and support America’s growing communities.
