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Letter to the editor

A new span for John's Pass

By Times Staff Writer
Published July 22, 2007

1848 A hurricane cuts through the barrier island to create John's Pass. The area is named for turtle hunter Juan or Jean Levique (local histories diverge on his name and whether he was French or Spanish), who discovered the new inlet after returning from a boat trip to New Orleans to deliver turtles.

1927 The first bridge to connect Madeira Beach and Treasure Island is built at John's Pass, a project that also included the construction of the Corey Causeway and Blind Pass Bridge.

1971 The old bridge is torn down, and the new bridge is built farther to the west.

January 2006 Bridge replacement begun by Flatiron Construction Corp. The new bridge will have two 12-foot travel lanes in each direction, 8-foot sidewalks on each side, a new bridge tender house and four observation decks. Improvements also will be made to lighting, signs and pavement markings. Spring 2010

Estimated completion of bridge replacement.

$76.5-million Projected cost.

17,000 Average number of vehicles that travel over the bridge each day.

1,500 tons Amount of structural steel to be used in construction.

22,000 cubic yards

Amount of concrete to be used in construction.

875 feet Length of new bridge.

40 feet Additional horizontal navigational clearance.

8 feet Additional vertical navigational clearance.

Sources: Florida Department of Transportation; Flatiron Construction Corp.; Times files.

[Last modified July 21, 2007, 23:59:58]