Beach officials happy after bridge misunderstanding

TREASURE ISLAND -- It was all a misunderstanding.

It turns out the state Department of Transportation plans to build a John's Pass Bridge that is 30 feet 4 inches high at its peak.

That's a foot higher than Treasure Island and Madeira Beach had requested, and 9 feet higher at its peak than the current span.

"This is like a birthday present, for God's sake," Madeira Beach Mayor Tom DeCesare said.

At a DOT public hearing Tuesday night, city officials and residents learned that when DOT said it planned to build a bridge with a 21-foot clearance, it was referring to the "fenders" of the bridge, or the lowest point.

The agency ended up increasing the fender height to 23 feet 9 inches, with a maximum clearance of just more than 30 feet. Madeira Beach, Treasure Island and an association representing all the beach towns had asked for a 29-foot-high bridge.

DOT district secretary Ken Hartmann said the agency is looking forward to working with the cities on the bridge, but admits DOT staff should have explained the issue more clearly. "Maybe the lesson learned is that communication is the key to everything we do," Hartmann said.

Madeira Beach Commissioner Jan Sturgis asked a Treasure Island colleague: "What meetings did we miss?"

"I'm very surprised," Treasure Island City Manager Chuck Coward said, "but I think I'm pleased."

-- A version of this story ran in some regional editions.

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