Traffic backs up when bridge locks fail

Just minutes before the height of the evening drive, the lock mechanism failed on the recently restored Bridge of Lions — leaving many downtown motorists frustrated with a thoroughfare that sometimes feels closed as much as it is open.

The Bridge of Lions closed for around 20 minutes and delayed traffic yesterday afternoon after a lock malfunctioned while bridge attendants were attempting to close the draw, Florida Department of Transportation spokeswoman Gina Busscher told Historic City News.

Busscher said the bridge span did not lock back into place. “This is a problem we have seen before and we know how to address it.”

FDOT crews arrived shortly after 4:30 p.m. and fixed the bridge by 4:47 p.m.