The sun will set on the D.H. “Banty” Saunders Drawbridge as the Florida Department of Transportation opens a new, modern, much higher span to North Hutchinson Island next Friday.
The new State Road A1A North Causeway Bridge will open at 8 a.m. May 15 “weather permitting,” according to an April 30 FDOT release. Mainland drivers will turn onto the bridge directly from U.S. 1 in mainland Fort Pierce, while drivers coming from the island on A1A will seamlessly flow onto and cross the soaring new structure.
Construction of the new 1.2- mile bridge and accessory development cost the state $115.9 million, according to FDOT spokesperson Guillermo Canedo. The cost is an increase over the $111.5 million price tag shown on the FDOT website…