US-1 traffic shift starts Wednesday night

Historic City News readers are advised that motorists traveling northbound on US-1 will begin using the new bridge over the San Sebastian River between Saragossa Street and King Street by 7:00 a.m. Thursday morning, according to an announcement received from the Florida Department of Transportation.

Lane closures, to accommodate the traffic shift, will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday night.

Bad weather may affect the scheduled traffic shift. Use caution while traveling through the area during and after the shift as commuters and travelers adjust to the new traffic pattern.

Immediately following the northbound traffic shift, direct access to US-1 from Almeria Street will be closed for reconstruction — and will remain closed until the end of October.

In addition, US-1 will be completely closed between King and Malaga Streets Thursday night and Friday night from 10:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. to allow for relocation of construction equipment and materials.

Motorists detouring off of US-1 during those hours will use King Street and Malaga Street as alternate routes. Police will be in the area to help direct traffic.

Once northbound traffic is shifted, the remainder of the original bridge, built in 1960, will be removed. Construction will move forward on installing foundations and completing the entire east side of the bridge near the fire station.

Southbound traffic began using the new bridge August 24. The sidewalk along the bridge and the turn lane from southbound US-1 to eastbound King Street will remain closed until the project is completed in spring 2013.

In addition to new foundations and concrete, the bridge boasts decorative lighting, a two-tone paint scheme on the exterior wall, ornamental railing and a safety barrier wall between the roadway and the sidewalk.