The U.S. 1 Bridge over the Earman River in North Palm Beach is scheduled to be closed 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27, until 6 a.m. Monday, Oct. 30, according to the city.
A railing and a portion of the bridge collapsed last week.
One of the steel rods in the outside concrete panel of span 2 corroded and broke, the Florida Department of Transportation reported Friday afternoon. "The other remaining rod in that span could not hold the weight of the sidewalk and also broke which resulted in the portion of sidewalk falling into the canal below," according to the statement from FDOT.
The department is working to determine the best long-term options for replacing the sidewalk.
Over the weekend workers will remove the remaining sidewalk and pedestrian barrier wall from both sides of the bridge, the city said.
“We’re hoping that this is going to be the only weekend that we really have to worry about it,” said Joceilie Allison, manager at Allora Pizza and Pasta located just north of the bridge.
At Allora, they’re concerned the project could cut into pizza profits.
“It’s going to actually take us probably another 15 minutes to just get somewhere and back."
While there is concern about construction driving away business, the restaurant understands the repairs are necessary.
“We just hope its safe after this,” said Allison.
The city has set up traffic detours which can be viewed here.
Emergency response vehicles will still have access to the bridge, according to the city.
If removal of the sidewalk and pedestrian barrier is not completed by Monday morning, the work will resume with the bridge closed to all traffic Monday night beginning at 8 p.m. until 6 a.m. Tuesday, Oct 31.
The waterway under the bridge is closed until all the sidewalk and pedestrian barriers are removed and the concrete slab is removed from the channel.Source: NPB Public Library