 Why does the Bridge of Lions need to be rehabilitated?
The bridge no longer meets today's revised safety requirements, and it needs significant structural repairs. FDOT performed an in-depth study on the bridge, followed by further inspections, which showed advanced corrosion in portions of the super-structure (the most visible parts of the bridge) and settlement of the bridge's foundations as well as general deterioration affecting the bridge's mechanical and electrical equipment. The bridge serves as a crucial transportation link, both economically and socially, between downtown St. Augustine and Anastasia Island.
How long will the entire project take?
The entire project will last approximately five years, not including weather delays. The project will begin in February 2005, starting with the construction of a two-lane temporary bridge to be used during the rehabilitation of the Bridge of Lions.
How much will the project cost and where does the funding come from?
The entire project, including construction and removal of the temporary bridge and complete rehabilitation of the Bridge of Lions and its associated facilities, was awarded to the contractor, Tidewater-Skanska, at a cost of $76 million. The financing comes from Bridge Replacement Funds, which include both federal and state funding. This money is part of the State Transportation Trust Fund, which includes gas tax revenues.
Why is it going to take so long? What is the process of construction?
The first step in this project is to construct a temporary bridge just north of the existing Bridge of Lions to provide continuing access for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians across the Matanzas River between historic St. Augustine and Anastasia Island. Construction of the temporary bridge is expected to be completed by mid-2006. Following construction of the temporary bridge, crews will begin removing portions of the Bridge of Lions, taking precautions to preserve the necessary structures and elements to maintain its historic value and listing on the National Historic Register once the rehabilitation effort is complete. The contractor will reinforce the structural components of the bridge, eventually adding back the valuable historic pieces, as well as adding street lights and hand railing reminiscent of the original 1927 structure. The rehabilitation effort along with the final removal of the temporary bridge is anticipated to be complete in 2010.
Is this a rehabilitation effort or a replacement of the Bridge of Lions?
This is a rehabilitation effort, focusing on improving safety and restoring the bridge while maintaining its historic value. The rehabilitated bridge will look very similar to the existing bridge (year 2004), except light fixtures and traffic railings similar to the original bridge opened in 1927 will be returned to the structure, to enhance its historic aesthetics.
Why is this project a rehabilitation effort instead of a replacement?
During the planning process for this project, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) evaluated all safety and transportation issues associated with the bridge and considered all opinions provided by the public regarding the need for improvements. FDOT presented several alternatives, including options to completely replace the Bridge of Lions and options to rehabilitate the structure. The majority of the public opinions provided showed primary concern with maintaining the historic nature of the structure. FDOT's final decision was to rehabilitate the bridge to improve safety, yet maintain the historic value important to the majority of residents and other interested parties.
Will there be a lot of noise or vibrations during construction? Will the vibrations damage any nearby structures or endanger historic structures in any way?
No. While noise and vibrations are generally part of any construction effort, the FDOT maintains specific standards to limit noise, especially in residential areas, as much as possible. In addition, notification will be provided via news releases and other communications outlets in the event of any nighttime construction activities. While you may feel vibration from nearby construction, FDOT adheres to set limits on vibration levels to ensure that surrounding structures are not damaged. The vibrations are monitored using specialized equipment which ensures the vibrations do not exceed the strict limitations in place to maintain the integrity of nearby structures. These limits were developed in Europe, where adjacent structures are often more than 400 years old.
What will happen to the lion statues?
As part of the rehabilitation effort, FDOT has allocated funding to the City of St. Augustine for restoration of the lion statues. Immediately prior to construction, the City of St. Augustine will remove the lions from their current location to be cleaned, restored and temporarily housed in a safe facility away from the construction activities. At the completion of the bridge rehabilitation, the City will return the lions to the area.
What will happen to the four observation towers on the bridge?
These towers are part of the piers that will be rehabilitated to maintain this historic structure. The towers will be cleaned and repaired, including their clay tile roofs, and will be returned to their original condition toward the end of the rehabilitation work to help preserve the Bridge of Lions listing on the National Historic Register.
How many lanes is the completed bridge?
The completed bridge will be two lanes, one in each direction. It will be as similar as possible to the original 1927 bridge to maintain historic value, but the structural, mechanical and electrical components will be improved. In addition, the travel lanes will be widened from 10 feet to 11 feet, and safety barriers and railings will be put in place to improve pedestrian safety.
Why not make the bridge four lanes?
Constructing a four lane bridge would have meant complete replacement of the Bridge of Lions, removing the possibility of preserving the structure as a historic landmark. In addition, a four lane bridge posed problems with connecting to the historic downtown area of St. Augustine, which has many one-way streets. The current roadway design through downtown is insufficient to handle the levels of traffic that would flow from a four-lane bridge.
Will traffic flow be any different at the end of the project?
Traffic flow will be very similar over the bridge, but changes at the connecting points on both the east and west ends of the bridge will be put in place to improve safety by reducing the number of potential conflict points at the intersections to reduce collisions.
West End:
These improvements include restoring the original design of the traffic circle between Cathedral Place (one-way westbound) and King Street (one-way eastbound) to allow traffic to move from King to Cathedral without going through the intersection at the bridge. Additionally, revised roadway markings on southbound SR A1A will provide travelers with one left turn lane onto the bridge, one through lane, and one dedicated right turn lane onto Cathedral Place. The dedicated right turn lane is different from the existing markings, which currently provide for both through traffic and right turns from the right lane. The redesign will improve traffic flow through the signal.
East End:
Changes on the east side of the bridge are planned to reduce congestion and potential collision points. These changes include:
- Ending Flagler Boulevard in a cul-de-sac to reduce cut-through traffic in the residential area. Currently, travelers use Flagler Boulevard to bypass traffic when the bridge is up and cut back in closer to the bridge entrance. Eliminating the connection of the road before it meets Anastasia Boulevard will also provide land for a new park, which was planned into the original design of the Bridge of Lions before it opened in 1927.
- Left turns will no longer be allowed from eastbound traffic onto St. Augustine Road. This will improve traffic flow by removing the impediment to traffic coming off the bridge and by eliminating the potential for collisions.
- Re-aligning the end of Ogelthorpe Boulevard will allow for a proper 90-degree intersection with St. Augustine Road. Motorists will be able to turn left or right from Ogelthorpe onto St. Augustine Road. Motorists will only be allowed to turn right from St. Augustine Road onto Anastasia Boulevard toward the bridge.
Will there still be parks next to the bridge? Will they change?
West End:
The north and south parks on the west end of the bridge will be improved and changed to reflect the original 1927 park design. These improvements will include redesigning the sidewalks to reflect the original circular and axial design. Four sidewalks will branch out in each direction from the center. In addition, an events platform will be constructed to reflect the original plans and provide a location for special celebrations.
East End:
A park will be added on the east end of the bridge, to reflect the original design plans prior to the opening of the bridge in 1927. This will be accomplished using the land provided when the west access point of Flagler Avenue becomes a cul-de-sac.
Both Ends:
Both parks will have special pedestrian-friendly features including safer, more visible crosswalks, lighting, and improved signage to alert motorist traffic to pedestrians. In addition, some of the benches and trellises/pergolas located in the parks will be originals that will be restored and returned to the parks to maintain historic value. The landscaping in both parks will also reflect the original design from the early 1900s.
How will construction affect marine traffic?
The temporary bridge will be a vertical lift span instead of a drawbridge. When it is in the open position, it will provide a vertical clearance of 80 feet at mean high water. This will accommodate the majority of marine craft thatcurrently travel through the Bridge of Lions. Affects on marine traffic are expected to be minor; however, some construction activities may require temporary limitations on access. These limitations may include periods where the horizontal clearance is temporarily reduced to 70 feet and permitted by the U.S. Coast Guard, brief periods where only one leaf of the bridge can open, and short periods of time where the Coast Guard may allow complete closure of the channel for construction activities. During the majority of the project, the temporary bridge will open according to the same schedule as the Bridge of Lions, currently every half-hour between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. and on demand thereafter. The bridge does not have to open at peak traffic times, which include 8:00 a.m., 12 noon, and 5:00 p.m. except on federal holidays. In addition, the temporary bridge will be designed to provide a 125-foot horizontal clearance, which is intended to funnel marine traffic through the 79' 6" horizontal clearance provided by the Bridge of Lions. |
