Marco Island council authorizes FDOT agreements to replace Roberts Bay bridge; city budgets for up to $4.5M
July 20, 2026 | Marco Island, Collier County, Florida
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Public Works Director Justin Martin told the council a long‑deferred bridge replacement is critical: Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) inspections have repeatedly flagged poor superstructure condition on the Kixambas Court (Kasambas Court) Roberts Bay bridge (Bridge No. 034112), and bids and post‑COVID cost escalation have raised project estimates.
"This is now almost a $12,000,000 bridge project," Justin Martin said, and described an earlier expectation of a $3.75 million FDOT grant that would leave a smaller local match. Martin told council that additional federal funding sources had been identified by FDOT, reducing the city's share to about $3.4 million, but staff recommended budgeting $4.5 million to allow for bid variability and to meet FDOT's 14‑day escrow funding requirement after bids open.
Martin explained FDOT requires three agreements—a local funding agreement, a post‑project maintenance agreement, and a three‑party escrow agreement with FDOT and the state Department of Financial Services—before FDOT will proceed. The city manager has proposed reallocating some near‑term capital funds (including a pause on some bike‑lane projects) and relying on cost‑savings identified in the budget workshop so the city could provide the escrowed funds in fiscal 2027 if necessary.
An FDOT representative was present for questions and staff said the water and sewer mains on the bridge will be replaced in‑kind through a separate utility work agreement; council approved that separate resolution the same night. Councilor Schwan moved to authorize the city manager to execute the FDOT agreements; the motion passed on a 7–0 roll call.
Staff cautioned that the city must be prepared to deposit any additional required funds within 14 days if the low bid exceeds the engineer's estimate; the council voted to budget conservatively and to return to council for any allocation of residual funds after project costs are clearer.
"This is now almost a $12,000,000 bridge project," Justin Martin said, and described an earlier expectation of a $3.75 million FDOT grant that would leave a smaller local match. Martin told council that additional federal funding sources had been identified by FDOT, reducing the city's share to about $3.4 million, but staff recommended budgeting $4.5 million to allow for bid variability and to meet FDOT's 14‑day escrow funding requirement after bids open.
Martin explained FDOT requires three agreements—a local funding agreement, a post‑project maintenance agreement, and a three‑party escrow agreement with FDOT and the state Department of Financial Services—before FDOT will proceed. The city manager has proposed reallocating some near‑term capital funds (including a pause on some bike‑lane projects) and relying on cost‑savings identified in the budget workshop so the city could provide the escrowed funds in fiscal 2027 if necessary.
An FDOT representative was present for questions and staff said the water and sewer mains on the bridge will be replaced in‑kind through a separate utility work agreement; council approved that separate resolution the same night. Councilor Schwan moved to authorize the city manager to execute the FDOT agreements; the motion passed on a 7–0 roll call.
Staff cautioned that the city must be prepared to deposit any additional required funds within 14 days if the low bid exceeds the engineer's estimate; the council voted to budget conservatively and to return to council for any allocation of residual funds after project costs are clearer.
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