Raising Bridges !
It's the bridge that crosses the Middle River on Sunrise Boulevard in between Border's Books and Keno Jewelers. Some of the people want the government to raise it higher. Other's want it raised even higher! Some even want a drawbridge.
At a meeting held tonight at the Gallery One (the old Doubletree Hotel at the Intracoastal on Sunrise), not a contrary opinion to raising the height of the bridge could be found. About 60 people wandered around a meeting room looking at charts and drawings and sitting at tables writing opinions that would be turned into the authorities.
The Bridge
John Fiore, County Planner (and former Mayor of Wilton Manors) who was answering questions at the meeting, summed up the crowds' reactions perfectly; " if it's built higher, seems as everyone will walk away with a smile."
It seemed the only question left unanswered at the meeting was "how high?".
Most in the room seemed to think that it should be able to be raised to at least the height of the N. Federal Highway Bridge, which is some 6 feet or better higher than the Sunrise Bridge. This would allow much bigger boats to reach homes in Coral Ridge, Bal Harbour, and on to the City of Wilton Manors. Fiore estimated that a 32' boat, without radar, could then clear the bridge at high tide.
A petition was circulated by some that the bridge should be converted to a drawbridge, which would allow boats of unlimited heights up the river. The petition read "think positive, think progressive, replace the bridge with a drawbridge." Only about 12 people had signed that petition.
One drawback? The Florida Department of Transportation has only budgeted about $8 million to repair the bridge, and a total replacement would be much more expensive. Better bring a paddle if you want to be upriver anytime soon!
I have been recieving your e-mails for over a month now and have not seen anything on the state of the beach from Oakland Park Blvd to Las Olas Blvd, did you know there are 22 fenced up abandoned buildings in this area alone. I do not know about you but where I come from we call that a blighted area, Question. Why is this like this ....TIM?
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Joe, is this not Teel's or Rodstrom's District that you are speaking about?
Remember, Tim is no longer on the commission, but he does care for the city & takes to heart the city. I am sure in time he will reply in someway of your concern (probably much faster than your district commissioner) A real shame for damn sure!
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thanks for the heads-up Joe..... I'm going to take a look at that! ... Tim
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Has this matter gone before the Marine Advisory Board (does it matter?)? Has it gone before the neighboring businesses and homes? Has it gone to the Coast Guard in regard to how deep the water must be for the "bigger" boats? Are 12 people going to decide this issue?
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Great Idea... I do not know of anything bad about this. I see improved property Values and safe harbor when there is a storm.
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Did anyone ask if you can have two draw bridges just a few blocks from one another? I don't think you have two that close anywhere else? This bridge has been like this for how many years? I don't think you could make it a "draw bridge" without great expense. You would have to start the incline way up both east and west bound lanes and that would be EXPENSIVE! Just fix it and leave it be.
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Dennis for a minute think out of the box and give a new idea a chance to be explained there maybe more positives then negatives.
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This isnt the time to fix something that isnt broke. We have far too much infrastructure in this city that needs updating, maintanence and repairs.Raising a bridge for the few who will be affected by it is at this juncture the height of arrogance.
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