Residents question bridge painting
To the editor:
Three different publications have reported that it has been decided to paint the Mantanzas Pass bridge blue.. There are pictures of Mr. Myers being presented with a can of spray paint at the Chamber function to celebrate the impending project as a done deal.
Some long-time residents take umbrage with this decision as the $80,000 mentioned as the price tag ultimately must come from some form of tax dollars. It is hard to believe that the Florida Department of Transportation would spend very tight tax money to paint a bridge solely to make us feel better.
Here are a few questions we would like addressed before the work begins.
1. Is there any functional or structural reason to paint the bridge?
2. Did anyone consider that once painted that paint must be maintained and repainted at another $80,000 each time.
3. Would that money be better spent on must needed repairs on Estero Boulevard?
4. What right do they have to choose to paint the bridge any color?
5. What is wrong with natural concrete and aluminum which has served so well since the bridge opened?
Mr. Albion was quoted as saying that the color blue will have a “calming effect” on observers. The thought of it and it’s expense being imposed on us is already having just the opposite effect. At the most the bridge needs pressure cleaning to remove the inevitable growth of mildew that will look especially bad over a color, any color. Please reconsider the painting idea. There must be a reason that there is only one bridge in the State of Florida that is painted blue.
Kevin and L.A. Cochrane
Fort Myers Beach