ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — Drivers in St. Lucie County will soon have a smoother, faster trip across the Intracoastal Waterway.

The Florida Department of Transportation announced on Thursday that the new State Road A1A North Causeway Bridge is set to open by 8 a.m. on Friday, May 15, weather permitting. The long-anticipated bridge replaces the aging drawbridge and is expected to significantly cut down on traffic backups while improving safety for drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and boaters.

Unlike the old drawbridge, the new high-level fixed bridge won’t need to open for marine traffic. That means fewer stops for drivers traveling between S.R. A1A and U.S. 1, and a more reliable route overall. The bridge spans the Florida East Coast Railway, Old Dixie Highway, and the Intracoastal Waterway, creating a vital connection through the area.

“I think for locals, being able to access the beach and not have to wait for, you know, the 15 minutes that it takes back and forth, I think it would be great,” said Erika Strowbridge, a lifelong Fort Pierce resident.

FDOT says the bridge was designed with all users in mind. It includes one lane in each direction, wide buffered bike lanes, protected sidewalks and shared-use paths, and even an observation deck beneath the west side of the structure. The improved design also allows large boats to pass underneath without interrupting traffic above.

“There was a lot with the construction, but I think they handled it pretty well. It was so quick.” Strowbridge said.

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Several nearby roadway upgrades are also part of the project, including new access roads, extended streets, and added connections that tie into the East Coast Greenway, making it easier to get around whether you’re behind the wheel, on a bike, or on foot.

When the bridge opens, some bicycle lanes, shared-use paths on the north side, and the observation deck will remain closed while construction continues. Pedestrians will be directed to the sidewalk on the south side of the bridge. The old drawbridge will be permanently closed to vehicles and eventually demolished, with final project work continuing into late 2027.

One local tells CBS12 News he’s happy about the new bridge, but wants the old one to stay.

““I think it’s a bad decision for all the all the locals here. I’ve fished from that bridge since I was eight years old. For them to tear down that whole bridge and not be able to utilize at least a portion of it for fishing and for the families to come and sit, I think it would be a big mistake,” said Robert Doty, who’s lived in the area for 60 years.

FDOT thanked the community for its patience during construction and says the new bridge is a major step toward a safer, more efficient transportation network for years to come.