New Bridge over Jewfish Creek - Fla Keys

Wet-n-Wiley · 12-27-2005, 03:00 PM

We drove down to Gilbert's over xmas and were surprised to see all the road construction going on. Here's the press release:

Construction to Begin on 18-Mile Stretch of US 1 between Florida City and Key Largo

Key Largo -- Construction to rebuild 18 miles of U.S. 1 from Florida City to Key Largo—known locally as the Stretch—will begin on Monday, April 4 near Key Largo.

To minimize impacts associated with construction, the 18-mile corridor has been divided into four construction projects by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). The first project extends from Mile Marker (MM) 106 to MM 113 and includes reconstruction of U.S. 1; replacement of the outdated two-lane Jewfish Creek Bascule Bridge, built in 1944, with a new fixed bridge that will provide a 65’ vertical clearance for navigation; replacement of the Lake Surprise Causeway with a low-level bridge; and construction of the Manatee Creek Bridge and wildlife box culvert crossings.

The $148 million project is scheduled for completion in summer 2009. The Stretch has a long history of safety concerns due to speed, traffic volume and a higher-thanusual number of crashes, including head-on collisions. This two-lane safety project will provide environmental enhancements and a number of roadway improvements designed to improve safety, including one travel lane in each direction divided by a concrete median barrier to prevent head-on collisions; reconstruction of passing lanes; and inside shoulders, outside shoulders and water quality berms for storm water treatment. The outside shoulder can be used for hurricane evacuation when necessary.

During construction, two driving lanes will be maintained throughout the corridor, but some nighttime closures may occur. The existing Jewfish Creek Bridge will remain operational until the new bridge is complete and open to traffic, and access will be provided to businesses. Road Ranger free service trucks will patrol the construction zone to assist stranded motorists. Construction on the second of the four projects is tentatively scheduled to begin in spring 2006. Work on the four projects will overlap, and at times one or more projects will be under construction simultaneously.

parkerman · 01-03-2006, 07:39 AM

I just spent New Years in Key Colony Beach and had to drive through that area.

Man what a stink from all the marsh and wetlands being dug up

Thought I was back driving through New Jersey by the refineries

Once completed it will make traffic a bit easier gong through there, but in the mean time roll up the windows and put the A/C on

Bokat · 01-06-2006, 08:34 PM

Wiley,

My mom had a wreck on the Jewfish Creek bridge a few years ago. She was northbound and came up over the rise and tried to stop on the metal grate of the bridge for someone turning left into Gilberts. She slammed into the car in front of her and totaled her car. That is a dangerous bridge, especially with the increased traffic these days.