The Town Council Workshop Meeting held on January 9, 2025, focused on critical discussions regarding the proposed eastbound bridge project, including design elements, cost estimates, and infrastructure considerations.

The meeting began with an overview of the bridge design, emphasizing the need to minimize its width to reduce visual impacts and address a significant funding gap. Council members expressed concerns about the dimensions of the bridge, specifically whether the proposed three lanes would include breakdown lanes or if they would be solely travel lanes. The current estimate for the bridge stands at approximately $257 million, which covers three 12-foot travel lanes and two 10-foot shoulders, excluding a multi-use pathway (MUP). Including the MUP would increase the estimate to around $318 million.

Council members requested further breakdowns of the cost estimates, particularly for variations in lane configurations. There was a consensus on the importance of having detailed financial data to make informed decisions regarding the project.

Another significant topic was the inclusion of causeways in the project’s cost estimates. It was confirmed that the $257 million figure encompasses necessary adjustments to the causeways to withstand storm surges and other environmental factors. The council highlighted the need for clarity on whether additional funding would be available for related infrastructure, such as pavilions and signage, which were previously considered in SEDOT's environmental assessments.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to provide further detailed estimates and to ensure that all aspects of the project, including the causeways and additional infrastructure, are accounted for in the financial planning. The council emphasized the necessity of precise dollar amounts to facilitate intelligent decision-making as they move forward with the bridge project.