{{short description|Bridge in Florida, United States}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}} {{Use American English|date=January 2025}} {{Infobox bridge |bridge_name=Cortez Bridge |image=Cortezbridgeopen.jpg |caption=The Cortez Bridge raising for sailboat in 2012. |official_name=Cortez Bridge |carries={{jct|state=FL|SR|684}} |crosses=Sarasota Bay |locale=Bradenton Beach, Florida |maint=Florida Department of Transportation |id= |design=Bascule |mainspan= |length=2,616 feet |width=37 feet |height= |load= |clearance=20 feet |below= |traffic=15,100 |begin= |complete= |open=1921 (original bridge)<br>1956 (current bridge) |closed= |toll=None |map_image= |map_width= |coordinates={{coord|27|28|07.6|N|82|41|36.7|W}} }}
The '''Cortez Bridge''' is a double-leaf bascule bridge that connects the barrier islands of Bradenton Beach, and the mainland of Cortez, Florida. It crosses the Sarasota Bay, carries Cortez Road, part of SR 684, and was built in 1956, replacing a swing bridge built in 1921.<ref>{{Cite web|title=BridgeReports.com {{!}} SR-684 (Cortez Rd) over Sarasota Pass, Manatee County, Florida|url=https://bridgereports.com/1079975|access-date=2020-10-15|website=bridgereports.com}}</ref>
The current bridge was designated by the 1965 Legislature of Florida.
In 2017, the Florida Department of Transportation began plans to replace the Cortez Bridge with a high-level bridge. Construction is expected to begin in the mid-2020's. The new bridge will be 65 feet above the surface, and it will allow 98% of boats to pass underneath.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Cortez Drawbridge to Come Down, Be Replaced By Span Bridge|url=https://www.baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2019/10/11/fdot--cortez-drawbridge-will-be-coming-down|access-date=2020-09-20|website=www.baynews9.com|language=en}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
== See also == *Anna Maria Island Bridge *Longboat Pass Bridge
{{Bridges of Florida}}
Category:Bridges in Florida Category:Buildings and structures in Bradenton, Florida Category:Transportation buildings and structures in Manatee County, Florida