Sebastian Bridge project closes King Street eastbound

The left turn lane from southbound US-1 to eastbound King Street will be removed and southbound US-1 traffic will be shifted to the east beginning Wednesday at 7:00 p.m., the Florida Department of Transportation announced to Historic City News today.

The scheduled closure of the left turn lane and shift of southbound traffic is necessary to complete construction on the south end of the new US-1 San Sebastian River Bridge. Bad weather or other unforeseen delays may affect the scheduled traffic shift.

These modifications to the traffic pattern are scheduled to remain in place until the project is completed in spring 2013.

Motorists are advised to use caution while traveling through the area during and after the shift as commuters adjust to the new traffic pattern.

Work began June 27, 2011 on a project to replace the San Sebastian River Bridge on US-1 in St. Augustine just north of King Street. Once the bridge replacement is complete, the bridge will have four 12-foot lanes, two in each direction, with a raised concrete median and a concrete barrier separating vehicles and pedestrians.

Along with a 5-foot sidewalk, there will be a signed and marked bicycle lane on the outer edge of the roadway on both sides. The project should be complete by early 2013.

This project will not require a temporary bridge to be built. Work is being done so that traffic can be shifted during construction and a temporary bridge isnt necessary to complete the work.

Improvements include:
• Relocating utilities
• Installing and maintaining erosion control
• Removing west edge of existing bridge
• Building part of new bridge, including all new foundations
• Shifting traffic onto new bridge (anticipated late 2012)
• Removing remainder of existing bridge
• Completing construction of new bridge
• Constructing new sidewalks
• Constructing new 28 high barrier wall between sidewalks and the roadway
• Painting new stripes and installing signs for bicycle lanes
• Installing new lighting
• Improving drainage
• Painting bridge with two-tone treatment

FDOT hired Archer Western Contractors of Jacksonville to complete this $13.5 million project.