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Vero Beach Bridge Closure: Traffic Snarls Expected
14 Apr
Summary
- The 17th Street Bridge in Vero Beach is closed for repairs.
- Repairs are part of a $22.3 million project to extend the bridge's life.
- The bridge is expected to reopen by 5 a.m. Friday, April 17.
The 17th Street Bridge in Vero Beach remains closed as of Tuesday, April 14, due to ongoing repairs. This closure, which started on Sunday night, April 12, is anticipated to cause considerable traffic delays. Drivers are advised to utilize alternative routes and avoid Indian River Boulevard if possible.
The bridge, spanning the Indian River Lagoon, is undergoing a $22.3 million rehabilitation and improvement project led by the Florida Department of Transportation. This project, which commenced in September 2023, includes replacing a significant portion of the bridge deck and improving signage. The FDOT previously identified the 47-year-old span as "structurally deficient" in 2020.
The closure is expected to last until 5 a.m. on Friday, April 17. An estimated 22,000 vehicles that typically cross the bridge daily are being detoured to the Merrill P. Barber Bridge, which already handles approximately 23,500 vehicles. The entire rehabilitation project is projected to conclude by summer 2028, aiming to extend the bridge's service life by an additional 30 years.
