Fort Pierce detours: State Road A1A, North Causeway Bridge closure begins next week

Expect detours at the intersections of State Road A1A, U.S. 1 and Old Dixie Highway near North Hutchinson Island to last about two years. The closure begins at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3, and is expected to last until about 2026, according to the Florida Department of Transportation .

Eastbound and westbound SR A1A between Old Dixie Highway and U.S. 1 will be closed around the clock for roadway and bridge construction pending weather, holidays, and unforeseen circumstances.

Here's what to know about the A1A closure and how it can affect your drive:

• From U.S. 1 to eastbound S.R. A1A, motorists will be detoured via Juanita Avenue and Old Dixie Highway to S.R. A1A
• From westbound S.R. A1A to U.S. 1, motorists will be detoured via Old Dixie Highway and Juanita Avenue or Sunny Lane to U.S. 1
• Access to residences and businesses will be maintained
• After construction is complete, traffic will shift onto the new bridge, and the eastbound and westbound lanes of S.R. A1A will reopen between U.S .1 and Old Dixie Highway

What to know about construction: New $111.5 million North Causeway Bridge in Fort Pierce

What is going on at the North Causeway Bridge in Fort Pierce?

Construction began May 1, 2023. It's expected to be completed in late 2027 with an estimated cost of $111.5 million.

FDOT is constructing a new high-level fixed bridge connected to U.S. 1 that will go over the Florida East Coast Railroad, Old Dixie Highway and the Intracoastal Waterway. Project improvements include the following:

• A 12-foot vehicle lane in each direction
• A barrier-protected 8-foot sidewalk on the south side of the bridge and a barrier-protected 12-foot shared-use path on the north side
• 7-foot buffered bicycle lanes within the shoulders on both sides of S.R. A1A
• An observation deck under the west side of the new bridge
• A 12-foot shared-use path along Old Dixie Highway to connect to the East Coast Greenway
• New access road under the bridge to businesses east of Florida East Coast Railroad
• Navigational clearances of 85 feet vertical and 125 feet horizontal at the waterway channel

Gianna Montesano is TCPalm’s trending reporter. You can contact her at gianna.montesano@tcpalm.com , 772-409-1429, or follow her on Twitter @gonthescene .

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Fort Pierce detours: State Road A1A, North Causeway Bridge closure begins next week