Lane and bridge closures at Crescent Beach

Historic City News readers crossing the Crescent Beach Bridge on SR-206 should expect lane closures, and even complete bridge closures, during an eight month long project of improvements beginning January 3.

This is the second project on the drawbridge since April 2011; and, once complete, will rehabilitate or replace electrical and mechanical portions of the bridge as needed to maintain its reliability and continued operation. The 2011 painting project was necessary to protect the steel structure of the bridge.

“Motorists can expect daytime lane closures beginning January 3, but a full bridge closure is not anticipated the first few weeks of construction,” Florida Department of Transportation spokesperson Anita Warming told Historic City News reporters. “When the bridge is closed, traffic is rerouted to the Mickler-O’Connell Bridge on SR-312.”

Full closures are not allowed weekdays between 5:30 and 9:30 a.m. and from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. or from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend (late May to early September 2013). The majority of the work is completed utilizing lane closures.

Most of the work is going to be visible from beneath the bridge by boats traveling through the channel and may require channel restrictions or closures which are coordinated with the United States Coast Guard.

“It is possible that the fishing pier beneath the east end of the bridge may need to be temporarily closed during construction for safety,” Warming reported.

Quinn Construction, Inc. of Palmetto was hired to complete the project by late 2013 at a cost of $3.3 million.