The Southwest Florida Water Management District is working with the city of Bradenton on a project that will reduce flooding along Wares Creek.
The Wares Creek Bridge Replacement project involves replacing four bridges and improving the existing stormwater management systems at three locations. The bridges being replaced are at 9th, 12th, 14th and 17th Avenues West. The stormwater management facilities being improved are at 9th and 20th Avenues West and at Riverview Boulevard.
This project is a cooperatively funded effort between the city of Bradenton and the Districts Manasota Basin Board. The total estimated cost of this project is $4.6 million, with the District’s share being up to $2.3 million.
The first phase of this multi-year project involves completing topographic surveys, geo-technical investigations, a hydrologic and hydraulic investigation and preparing a preliminary design report. Funding for this phase has been approved. This phase is expected to cost $100,000, which will be divided equally between the city and the District.
District funding for future fiscal years is contingent upon basin board approval.
This project stems from the Wares Creek Watershed Management Program, which recommended implementing specific best management practices (BMPs) to help prevent flooding. The project also complements the United States Army Corps of Engineer’s (USACE) project that involves dredging and widening Wares Creek to provide flood protection.