Miami, FL ???-- Citing safety concerns, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will no longer permit fishing off the Old Seven Mile Bridge between the City of Marathon and Pigeon Key. Signs will be posted with a “No Fishing From Bridge” message by the end of the week. The bridge was officially closed to vehicular traffic on March 4, 2008.
In a report prepared by consultants Berger-Avart, several issues related to the bridge structure and railing were identified during the inspection which has been ongoing for the past few weeks. According to Frank Guyamier, FDOT District Six Structures Engineer, “We are doing everything we can to keep the bridge available to pedestrian traffic, but this is action we must take at this time, due to the findings and recommendations of the firm conducting the bridge inspection.”
The action is being taken as a precautionary measure until further load analysis is completed. Based on future findings the Department may take more restrictive measures. Regular travel to and from Pigeon Key has been served by an FDOT-funded ferry and managed by Monroe County since late last year.
There are alternatives to bridge fishing at this location including the park at the north end of the bridge or the designated fishing pier at the south end of the Seven Mile Bridge. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is also in the process of adding fishing platforms to several bridges throughout the Keys.
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