17th Street Bridge (Vero Beach, Florida)

Coordinates: 27°37′55″N 80°22′05″W / 27.632°N 80.368°W / 27.632; -80.368
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17th Street Bridge
Coordinates27°37′55″N 80°22′05″W / 27.632°N 80.368°W / 27.632; -80.368
Carries SR 656
CrossesIndian River
LocaleIndian River County, Florida
Characteristics
Designconcrete deck 4 lane
History
Opened1979
Location
Map

The 17th Street Bridge (officially named the Alma Lee Loy Bridge in 2012[1]) is a fixed concrete bridge that spans the Indian River intracoastal waterway in Indian River County, Florida. The bridge, started in 1977, was constructed by Gulf Contracting Inc, FL and was completed in 1979.

The Florida Department of Transportation bridge number is 880077. [2]

The bridge has a total of four motor vehicle lanes and two bicycle lanes. The vertical clearance is 65 ft (20 m).

On the river it crosses the ICW at Statute Mile 953, south of flashing day beacon #145A.

In 2018, the bridge was found to be in critical condition, needing prompt repair. It was assessed to be structurally deficient in May 2020 according to Florida Department of Transportation inspection reports.[3] A major overhaul is planned in 2024.[4]

Controversy[edit]

Citizens are petitioning the government to add concrete barriers to protect the bicycle lanes after a child was killed crossing the bridge.[5] The Florida DOT insists the 38 foot width each direction is too narrow for two travel lanes and a protected bicycle lane.[citation needed]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Mattise, Jonathan. "Measure renaming Vero Beach bridge after Alma Lee Loy awaits Gov. Scott's signature". Tcpalm.com. Retrieved 2013-08-30.
  2. ^ "LISTING OF DESIGNATED ROADS IN FLORIDA" (PDF). FLDOT. Retrieved 2020-04-12.
  3. ^ Zahner, Lisa (1 July 2021). "Construction on 17th St. bridge to drag into fall". Vero News. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  4. ^ Zahner, Lisa (15 July 2021). "17th Street bridge repairs only a temporary fix". Vero News. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  5. ^ Jones, Elliott (December 1, 2016). "Defendant gets 7 years in Cole Coppola's death on Vero Beach bridge". Tcpalm.com. Retrieved 2020-04-12.

External links[edit]