Blackburn Point Swing Bridge
Updated: 5 days ago
Update September 2026
When Blackburn Point Bridge joined the Six to Save, we had a core team of four people from the Alliance. We succeeded in educating the public better because two women
involved twenty-five years ago decided to join us and take the reins in areas we, as the Alliance, weren't up to speed on (yet). High-tech, AI. One finds the deep, hidden issues; the other is a retired Apple executive with tech expertise.
Saving BPB may not be how we usually work. Preservation is first and foremost in our hearts. But being a one-hundred-year-old National Landmark wasn't enough. Residents
on Casey Key were told it was an inherent danger (again, by the same bridge engineer). We have had to pound home the financial costs of rehabilitation versus a new bridge—
staggering financial numbers. In this case, that strategy has been first and foremost.
We have had to use the fact that this county has a 1.7 billion deficit, and that staff and the county bridge engineer wasted 3.7 million dollars on engineering consultants who
never studied the mandatory no-build. The county commissioners didn't even know about this until Jan Vertefeuille set up a Change.org petition. The commissioners receive every one signed at their email address.
Thousands of people online say they want to rehabilitate the bridge but seem to only be available in front of their computers. Apathy is disheartening.
Using different types of PR and keeping the issue in local news has helped tremendously. We've been outside in this blazing heat, teaching trapped drivers at the BPB about the bridge and its safety and rehabilitation. That's been a great tool.
Things can turn on a dime, but we're hopeful the bridge will be saved.
Tommye Whittaker, SAHP advocate
Further Support
Advocates for preserving the Blackburn Point Bridge have been diligently striving to persuade city officials to opt for rehabilitation over replacement. The group has successfully arranged meetings with each member of the county board of commissioners. It is essential for county staff to acknowledge the advantages of rehabilitation.
The Alliance is actively working to prevent the likely decision to replace the bridge this fall. A historic bridge expert's analysis presents a persuasive report with a feasible restoration plan. This approach would not only preserve the bridge but also reduce the city's costs.
