A study of where a portion of the Old Seven Mile Bridge was sunk as an artificial reef in the 1980s may help the state in its effort to do the same with the Boot Key Bridge draw span in Marathon.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) recently commissioned a survey of the reef site as part of its campaign to garner support for obtaining a permit for the project.

"We had a survey of the old Moser Channel artificial reef to show the success," FDOT Engineer Frank Guyamier said.

A report is being prepared by the URS Corp., the company hired to conduct the survey, according to geologist Ed Marks. Divers recently completed a survey of the site, including photographs that show growth on scattered portions of the span.

FDOT hopes that helps its case for sinking the Boot Key Bridge as an artificial reef, a process that would require extensive regulatory approval.