ST. LUCIE COUNTY \u2013 The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is pleased to announce the opening of the new S.R. A1A North Causeway Bridgeover the Intracoastal Waterway (ICWW), marking a major milestone in improving safety, enhancing infrastructure resiliency, and connectivity for residents, visitors, and marine traffic in St. Lucie County.<\/p>\n
The new bridge is scheduled to open to the traveling public by 8 a.m. on Friday, May 15, weather permitting.<\/p>\n
The new high-level fixed bridge replaces the existing drawbridge and provides a more reliable connection between S.R. A1A and US.1\/S.R. 5.<\/p>\n
The structure spans the Florida East Coast (FEC) Railroad, County Road (C.R.) 605\/Old Dixie Highway, and the ICWW, eliminating bridge openings for marine traffic and reducing delays for motorists.<\/p>\n
Motorists traveling along U.S. 1\/S.R. 5 can access C.R. 605\/Old Dixie Highway via Juanita Avenue. Additional access improvements include connections via Sunny Lane.<\/p>\n
The new bridge has been designed to enhance safety, improve traffic operations, and expand access for all users.<\/p>\n
Key features include:<\/p>\n
\u2022 One 12-foot-wide travel lane in each direction<\/p>\n
\u2022 Navigational clearances of 85 feet vertical and 125 feet horizontal at the waterway channel<\/p>\n
\u2022 A barrier-protected 8-foot-wide sidewalk on the south side of the bridge (eastbound S.R. A1A)<\/p>\n
\u2022 A barrier-protected 12-foot wide shared-use path on the north side of the new bridge (westbound S.R. A1A)<\/p>\n
\u2022 7-foot-wide buffered bicycle lanes within the shoulders on both sides of S.R. A1A<\/p>\n
\u2022 An observation deck beneath the west side of the new bridge structure<\/p>\n
Additional project improvements include:<\/p>\n
\u2022 A 10-foot wide shared-use path along C.R. 605\/Old Dixie Highway, providing connectivity to the East Coast Greenway<\/p>\n
\u2022 A new access road under the bridge to businesses east of the FEC RailroadExtension of Juanita Avenue from U.S. 1\/S.R. 5 to C.R.<\/p>\n
\u2022 605\/Old Dixie HighwayA connection between U.S. 1\/S.R. 5 and C.R. 605\/Old Dixie Highway along Sunny Lane<\/p>\n
\u2022 At opening, the eastbound and westbound S.R. A1A bicycle lanes and the shared-use path along S.R. A1A on the north side of the bridge will remain closed as construction activities continue. Pedestrians will be detoured to the sidewalk on the south side of the bridge.<\/p>\n
\u2022 The observation deck at the west end of the new bridge will also remain closed during this construction phase.<\/p>\n
Following the bridge opening, the existing drawbridge will be permanently closed to vehicular traffic and demolished as part of the final phase of work. Construction will continue through late 2027.<\/p>\n
FDOT would like to thank the community and all project stakeholders for their patience throughout construction.<\/p>\n