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View from above: Impressive span’s days are likely numbered
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The Judge S.S. Jolley Bridge, first known as the Marco Pass Bridge, has become a welcome landmark to many tourists who have been wooed to make Marco Island their home.
ROGER LALONDE / Eagle staff
An aerial photo of the Judge S.S. Jolley Bridge.
Story: Judge S.S. Jolley Bridge: Impressive span’s days are likely numbered (07-06-07)
The bridge was constructed in 1969 and officially named Judge S.S. Jolley Bridge for Smead Jolley, a prominent county judge. It became the second entranceway to Marco, the first being a draw bridge that led from U. S. 41 down SR 92 to Goodland and then Marco Island. The draw bridge was used until 1969 when the Jolley Bridge opened, then a new concrete bridge at Goodland was constructed in 1975.
The Jolley bridge cut 12 miles off the drive to Naples. In the early days the only way to get to Marco was by ferry from the Isles of Capri or going over the bridge, still called the Goodland Bridge. The S.S. Jolley Bridge is made of massive concrete piers, supporting a 1,500-foot long span.
There have been plans for years to add two more lanes to the bridge. The state is in charge of building a new bridge, with much speculation when and what funds will be used. A suggestion that Marco Island approve a toll bridge to move the project ahead has become controversial.
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- PHOTO GALLERY: Marco: View from above
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"Contoversial"? "Anethema" would be more like it.
Who told you that four lanes are in the making? Who wants four lanes? Why would you hook up a four inch fire hose to a two inch pipe? Why would you fill a basketball with an air hose?
Has Marco lost all sanity? For that matter, why all the discussion about the Jolly Bridge at all? Insanity!!!!
John Putnam
#1 Posted by jwputnam on July 7, 2007 at 11:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The Eagle must be hard up for news. Were is the support for the title of the column? Why are the bridge's days numbered? Nice historical prospective but not news. One of the major users of the bridge are the construction people. Once they are gone it will be more than adequate. It's hard to believe we are squandering 1/2 million to decide if the voters want a toll bridge.
#2 Posted by optomist on July 7, 2007 at 12:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think Minozzi is still trying to sell us a bridge. Can't these retired New York con men in our community just relax and enjoy our island like other retirees? Why do they have to constantly try and con us with these schemes. We do not require a four lane bridge, let the state pay for it when it needs to be replaced. During the past 4 years I have never experienced traffic jams on that bridge that even came close to the ones I sat in every morning for 30 years up North. Stop growth and we will be fine with what we have.
#3 Posted by Hawke1 on July 8, 2007 at 6:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I contacted the state when all this toll bridge nonsense started and they told me they had plan A and plan B.
One was to cantelever a third lane, the other is to add a second two lane bridge which would annex some of the yacht club land and hook into the four lanes of Collier Blvd.
I don't know what would trigger each option but the problem has been how to prioritze the State's budget against all of the State's needs, as I recall.
The only real problem from my perspective is February and March and I use the Goodland bridge when it gets tough if we must leave. Adds some miles but saves aggravation. I know very few that think there is enough pressure to circumvent the State's plans and build a toll bridge and I thought it was hashed out in council meetings this season.
This is really a job for our representative in State government isn't it?
#4 Posted by captnjimbo on July 8, 2007 at 12:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
JWP is throwing bullseyes. Right on!
#5 Posted by barfieldfly on July 8, 2007 at 9:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
They have allready spent 1 million on a "study" for a toll. You know what they say..."Build it and they will come" (the toll booths)
#6 Posted by sunnycity on July 11, 2007 at 10:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
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