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Flagler Memorial Bridge reopens in West Palm Beach

Posted at 5:12 AM, Jul 31, 2017
and last updated 2017-07-31 18:02:04-04

The near five year wait is over. The drive to or from Palm Beach to West Palm Beach is about to get a lot easier.

All four lanes on the new Flagler Memorial Bridge will be open for the first time since 2012, after undergoing a major facelift.

Pre-construction, the bridge was closer to the water, the lanes were skinnier, and there was no room for error between road and sidewalk.

“I walk the bridge every week,” says Shay Pallas, who lives in Palm Beach. “You could see outset, it had scale. It had stature.”

Over the years, the $106 million project was hit with delays, and partial closures.

The Breslow family lives in West Palm Beach.

“We couldn’t believe ‘em,” says Ron Breslow.

“We all thought it would go faster. But it looks like it’s going to work out and it’s so pretty now,” said Ron’s wife, Mina.  “Hopefully at 4 o’clock when everybody gets off work, with the double lanes, things will be moving.  It’s kind of been at a standstill.”

Something to keep in mind, if you take this bridge, there’s a new traffic pattern, so take your time first time through.