MARCO ISLAND — The irony didn't go unnoticed. The dedication ceremony for the new span of the Judge S.S. Jolley Bridge to Marco Island, built to relieve the traffic bottleneck to and from the island, temporarily re-created the conditions it was meant to alleviate.
Some 100 dignitaries, politicians and Marco residents gathered Saturday at the south end of the recently completed $29 million span to cut a ribbon, offer brief remarks and unveil a plaque to the late Mike Minozzi, who was instrumental in making the project a reality.
Vehicles that used to squeeze from the two Collier Boulevard lanes approaching Marco Island into just one lane to cross the bridge now have an easier drive. Approaching the bridge Saturday morning, though, brought déjà vu for anyone who has regularly made the crossing.
Traffic cones and flagmen brought back what was for years a daily traffic jam, flowing onto the island in the morning and off in the afternoon, and then for more than a year during construction as the second two-lane span took shape next to, and slightly higher than, the original two-lane Jolley Bridge.
After the presentation of colors and Pledge of Allegiance came opening remarks from officials, including Marco Island Council Chairman Jerry Gibson and William Trotter, also a member of the City Council and Metropolitan Planning Organization, the countywide transportation planning agency.
"This is a testament to government working together," Trotter said. "The Collier MPO, the Marco City Council, and the state DOT made this happen, and without having to have a toll bridge."
Lynn Minozzi unveiled a plaque commemorating the work of her late husband, Mike Minozzi, in making the day's festivities possible. Collier Commissioner Donna Fiala said that, without Mike Minozzi's untiring efforts, it never would have happened.
Mike Minozzi, a former Marco Island council member who died Aug. 1, 2010.
"I started working with Mike on the MPO 11 years ago," she said. "We never left a meeting without Mike saying 'about the bridge.' It's because of Mike the bridge made it to the top of the (priority) list," she said, hugging Lynn Minozzi.
Trotter, who took over Minozzi's work and also was instrumental in getting the second span approved, noted it came about because the project was "shovel-ready" when federal stimulus money became available.
This point was underscored by a dozen sign-carrying members of the Democratic Party of Collier County. They displayed banners saying: "Thank you President Obama for our bridge – Mack voted no," and "Obama's stimulus $$$ = jobs and bridges."
"Right wing ideology doesn't build bridges," group member Jerry Stinson said.
"We need to have more jobs, not budget cuts," added Randon Randolph.
The group brought a live donkey along to help make their point.
The added span, Trotter said, provides many benefits to Marco Island residents, most notably providing a Category 5 hurricane-rated evacuation route.
Completed ahead of schedule and within the deadline for stimulus projects, the span's $29 million cost was shared by federal, state, and Collier County governments. The parallel span opened to traffic Oct. 5.
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Comments » 12
happy6 writes:
the democrats claim everything...who cares...they are history in the next election...why would you ever thank obamanation for anything? this bridge was planned long before oblama...
KlausStoertebeker writes:
But great President Obama created this stimulus program. Thank you President Obama. Marco Island needed this bridge. It is fantastic for the new hotel and convention center. The delivery services like Bud and Yuengling. Don't forget all emergencies. And MIPD has a new hot spot for ticketing speeders.
rmsmith0318 writes:
You are absolutely correct Shadow when you say that the bridge plans were made several years ago. But, the money was never availible until the stimulus money was accepted by former govenor Christ. If this money had not come to our state, we would still be "planning" to build a bridge. Is it really so hard to admit that President Obama did somethng positive for this country? Is it really that hard to say that President Obama made a decision that made a positive impact on our
lives? Is it really that hard to say thank you! Everyone knows that the stimulus money will be
repaid with tax dollars. (yours and mine) You can
be angry that the deficit is out of control for many
reasons and at the hands of many people, not
just our President. But you have to admit that this
bridge would not be standing today if it weren't
for the stimulus money that was put forth by
President Barack Obama. You dont have to like it, It is just a fact. Shovel ready projects and
stimulus dollars create jobs. They may be
temporary jobs, (if you call a year and half
temporary) but good paying jobs none the less. And if you watch, you will see those workers pop up on another road in another location for another shovel ready project paid for by stimulus money. Let me give you some FACTS:
1. ARRA = American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009
2. ARRA funds awarded to date across the United States
$275,000,000,000 (that's BILLION $)
3. Florida was awarded $11,332,000,000. (that's BILLION $ again) (accepted by former Gov. Charlie Christ thankfully)
4. Collier County ARRA Funds award $100,706,451 (Million$)
5. Marco island ARRA award/ Jolly Bridge. $28,042,012
6. Number of FTE jobs from bridge project 148 (37 per quarter)
Go to www.recovery.gov and track ALL of the ARRA money. Not just in this state but around
the country. Find out for yourselves where the money is going and how it is being spent and THEN we can have an educated discussion using real facts and real figures and debate the
facts not the fiction. Stimulus money has made a positive impact on this community and whether you like or not, whether you agree with it or not,
whether you use the Jolly bridge or not, if it were not for President Obama we still wouldn't have it!
I personally hope that everyone enjoys the bridge and uses it in good health whether they thank our President or not. Educating people on where the money came from is enough for me. I thank him for the money and the bridge.
R. Smith -Naples, Fl.
winterres writes:
This created part time jobs. A bridge, not a bad idea but look at the ways the money was spent all around the country. And, now where are those who worked on these part time jobs? In the unemployment line? People seem to forget this is not Obama money, it is taxpayer money. The government can think of zillions of ways to spend it but it doesn't create jobs, it creates a task. Only people with ideas and the motivation to create someTHING will create a true job.
Ruger writes:
Does anyone have the breakdown on the repayment of these funds to China?
Will it be paid for by our kids or our grandchildren?
http://abcnews.go.com/US/bringing_ame...
RayPray writes:
This was a shrewd move by OBAMA.
I am angling now for the Chinese to stimulate my backyard by upgrading my pool cage.
I know I will be long gone when your grandkids have to kowtow to their new Chinese masters, when they show up here to garnishee their future hopes and dreams....
KlausStoertebeker writes:
"Will it be paid for by our kids or our grandchildren?"
Small thinking uneducated world class citizen!!!!! of America.
Your grand-grand-grand-grand-kids are paying for that.
jchamberland writes:
Unbelievable that Obama actually still has supporters...this bridge had nothing to do with Obama; it was in the works years ago. Stimulous plan = bridges & jobs...? Are you kidding me, what reality do you live in. What has Obama actually done for you because where I live he's only helped banks and big business. Meanwhile we have the highest unemployment rate since Carter. Seriously, you sign supporting Obama liberals must be senile or just plain retarted.
marco97 writes:
JC, you can't say retarded, you must be mentally challenged.
liberator100 writes:
What a bunch of idiots holding "Obama" posters on the bridge! Obama does not have any money pay for a bridge or a toilet. It is your own money people. Wake up! We cal it TAX they call it REVENUE. Revenue my bus!
KlausStoertebeker writes:
What a terrible unpatriotic post. President Obama is one of the greatest Presidents America ever lead. And Michelle has culture.
happy34145 writes:
"You can cook the strudel like an Obama pie just don't wait for the prized America(n) to bite like true American...Pelozi??? maybe...she is hero after all?"
...and who do I sound like??
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