TREASURE ISLAND, Fla. – Residents and visitors on Treasure Island next week should prepare to change their plans or face a literal dead end. The Treasure Island maintenance team has announced a series of full nightly closures starting February 16 and running through February 19.
From 10 p.m. until 6 a.m. each night, the bridge will be completely off-limits to everyone—meaning no cars on the pavement and no boats in the water below.
The total shutdown is necessary because crews are in the middle of a mechanical overhaul. They are replacing the bridge’s massive hydraulic cylinders, the heavy-duty components responsible for lifting and lowering the spans safely. Because of the nature of the work, the bridge cannot be moved or driven over while the team is swapping out the hardware.
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City officials are urging drivers to skip the headache and head straight for the detours. If you’re trying to get on or off the island during the overnight shift, you’ll need to reroute to either John’s Pass Bridge to the north or Blind Pass Bridge to the south.
While the late-night timing is meant to dodge the worst of the beach traffic, the complete halt of maritime passage means even local sailors will need to stay docked or clear of the channel until the morning crews give the all-clear.
Maintenance leaders say these upgrades are about more than just routine oiling; they are vital for the long-term reliability of the structure.
By knocking out the work during these eight-hour windows, the city hopes to prevent unexpected mechanical failures that could cause much longer, unplanned closures during busy daytime hours. If everything goes according to the schedule, the bridge should be back to its normal routine by the morning of February 20.
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