City Announces Beckett Bridge Alternatives Workshop

On Tuesday afternoon, Tarpon Springs officials announced the coming of a public workshop on the Becket Bridge alternatives.

The workshop is scheduled to take place on January 23 from 5-7:30 p.m. at the Tarpon Springs Yacht Club.

In November of 2012, four alternatives for the deteriorating existing bridge were brought to the table, but with some revamping, the engineers have come up with five options:

• No-Build
• No-Build With Removal of the Existing Bridge
• Rehabilitation
• New Movable Bridge- this option includes the complete destruction of the existing bridge with a two-lane movable bridge built in its place.
• New Mid-Level Fixed Bridge- this option includes the complete destruction of the existing bridge with a two-lane mid-level (non-movable) bridge built in its place.

Although Beckett Bridge is in Tarpon Springs, the project is being conducted by Pinellas County.

The workshop is an opportunity for the public to learn more about the alternatives and speak out with questions or concerns. 

As always, the city is actively seeking the public's feedback on the issue.
Back in November we asked what folks would like to see happen to Beckett Bridge, locals voiced their opinions on the proposed alternatives.
Bryan Duffy wrote, 

"I'd say that this should not be touched unless there is an agreement on making this bridge both attractive and functional for walkers, bikes and boats passing through. I think this can all be done in one go while, keeping a fresh look with a rebuild."

Rehabilitation was the best solution from Jim Costa's perspective while David Bolton wrote,

"Let's keep the end in mind. Tarpon Springs has busy waterways and this bridge is very important to the homes it services and the boaters that use the waterway. The bayou route for walkers and bikers is also extremely important to the lifestyle our city offers. I think this would be a great time to evaluate the entire bayou route for all. Raise the bridge, create a wider walkway around the entire bayou and extend the path to our Sunset Beach. Current sidewalks are broken, incomplete and offer poor crossing of the small bridges at Whitcomb as well. Let's think 'Master Plan' and not just one bridge!"

The county will select an alternative in the summer of 2013 to determine the bridge's fate with an approval from the FHWA expected some time in the winter of 2013.

Questions and comments can be submitted through the project website, by email or by phone at 727-464-3640.

What's your opinion on the proposed alternatives? Share your thoughts in the comments below.