Anna Maria Island bridge reopens both traffic lanes for Fourth of July weekend

Traffic to Anna Maria Island on the Manatee Avenue Bridge will fully reopen Friday in time for the Fourth of July weekend, Manatee County Government said in a news release Thursday.

Water main repairs that began on Monday and were expected to last through Friday have been completed early. The flow of vehicles across the bridge was reduced to alternating one-way traffic during the work week to accommodate the repairs, significantly slowing travel.

The water main, which provides potable water to Anna Maria Island, fell into Anna Maria Sound on June 20 after it collapsed from hangers under the bridge.

A new pipe has been installed and is being tested before it begins pumping water next week, Manatee County said.

However, additional work will be required to secure the pipe to the bridge. Manatee County said drivers can expect more delays in “several weeks” when the second phase of the water main installation begins.

The contractor working for the county will also remove the old pipe from Anna Maria Sound. That work will begin as early as July 10 and is not expected to result in any lane closures.