Flagler Memorial Bridge to reopen on Tuesday

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Seven days after it closed for emergency repairs, the aging Flagler Memorial Bridge is scheduled to open to limited traffic on Tuesday, WPTV NewsChannel 5 has learned.

The vital link from the barrier island to the mainland was closed for emergency repairs after the bridge's locks were knocked out of alignment during the long-planned construction of a replacement bridge.

When the bridge reopens at 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday, one lane will be open in each direction for passenger cars only.

Vehicles that weigh five tons or more -- larger than an average pickup truck -- will not be allowed on the bridge.

Earlier this year, the Florida Department of Transportation committed more than $94 million to build a wider and taller bridge south of the existing bridge.

More than 16,000 cars cross the bridge daily and business owners in Palm Beach said the closure had impacted their bottom line.