West Winterberry Bridge on Marco Island on the verge of collapse after emergency closure

MARCO Island, Florida. The West Winterberry Bridge on Marco Island was immediately closed to all vehicles, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.

According to the National Bridge Inventory, about 3,000 people cross this bridge every day. FDOT says it is now closed because the pier’s tension system has loosened, making the bridge prone to collapse.

After talking to over a dozen people tonight, whether they were bicycling, in a car, or walking across the bridge, everyone wanted to know why they couldn’t cross it. We learned that the project had already been implemented, but now this project is being delayed, which has brought us here to the emergency closure, to the brink of collapse.

Tonight we learned from the Marco Island City Manager that a plan was put in place last year to completely replace the bridge and we have submitted the plan to the FDOT for review and approval. The City is still awaiting this approval before they can begin the bidding process for the project. Meanwhile, people in the area have been telling Fox 4 that they hope it gets fixed sooner rather than later as it is an important but busy road.

According to the FDOT, the strut tension system loosened, causing the bridge to collapse. In the meantime, until repairs are made, the bridge will remain closed to all vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians until further notice.

Marco Island will also install signs in the area. FDOT says “Expect delays in this area and plan alternative routes.”

The Marco Island City Manager also said that the FDOT has advised that their review of the bridge project will be completed by February 15, 2023. But once they even get approval, it could take up to a year to rebuild the bridge.