LaBelle Drawbridge Closing For Construction

$5 Million Project Will Close LaBelle Bridge

LABELLE, FL. -- A large construction project on the LaBelle Drawbridge will close down the bridge and State Road 29 traffic over the Caloosahatchee River for several weeks in July and August while delays may be experienced through 2011.

The job is scheduled to start June 1, 2010 and finish early 2011, weather permitting. The department's contractor will be making electrical, mechanical, and structural repairs to the bridge. This $5 million rehabilitation project will extend the service life of the bridge approximately 15 years with continued routine maintenance.

During some work activity, the State Road 29 drawbridge will be closed to motor vehicle traffic. Variable message boards will be placed at locations in Glades and Hendry Counties to alert drivers to bridge closures:

- 24/7 full bridge closure from July 5 through August 8, 2010
- 20 nighttime/overnight full bridge closures (8 p.m. – 5 a.m.), some occurring in June
- 20 nighttime/overnight one lane closures (8 p.m. – 5 a.m.)
(Flaggers will direct two-way traffic using one lane on the bridge.)

Local traffic, with the exception of heavy trucks and other heavy vehicles, may use the Ft. Denaud Bridge. Motorists are advised the Ft. Denaud Bridge has a 5-ton weight restriction. The detour route during bridge closures will be State Road 78 and State Road 80 (east/west) and State Road 29 and U.S. 27 (north/south). Other routes also are available depending on destinations.

The Florida Department of Transportation is hosting an open-house information meeting to acquaint people with the rehabilitation project's estimated schedule and detour for traffic. Please stop anytime during the two hour meeting to ask questions and talk one-on-one with the project team. There will be no formal presentation.

The information meeting is 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 4, 2010 at the LaBelle Civic Center (behind City Hall).

(3-D LaBelle Bridge Photo - Don Browne)