Press Releases

History Enhanced In Historical City

Contact:
Jay Humphreys

Phone:
904.829.1711 x306

Email:
ijhumphreys@visitoldcity.com

ST. AUGUSTINE’S COMMITMENT TO HISTORY SYMBOLIZED BY BRIDGE OF LIONS PROJECT

ST. AUGUSTINE –Dec. 30 – At a time when “out with the old and in with the new” takes on a special meaning, the people of the Nation’s oldest city are preparing to welcome the beginning of a major renovation project that will serve as a reminder of their commitment to history. The iconic Bridge of Lions linking the city founded by Spanish military forces in 1565 with the resort communities of Anastasia Island will be getting more than a facelift – it will be rebuilt in its own image, but in a way that will stand the test of time for generations to come.

Once considered as one of the most threatened structures on the National Register of Historic Places, the graceful drawbridge arches across Matanzas Bay for 1,545 feet and each year serves as a very real bridge to the past for millions of visitors to the historic city. The $76 million restoration project to be conducted by the Florida Department of Transportation will not only preserve the Spanish Renaissance beauty of the bridge, it will also incorporate safety and traffic improvements that will bring the venerable structure into the 21 st century.

“With 439 years of history, time is one of our most valuable products,” said Glenn Hastings, executive director of the St. Johns County Tourist Development Council. “In St. Augustine, the passing of each year merely adds to the quality of the city’s story – the five years to be devoted to this project will help affirm that the Nation’s oldest city is one of the few places where people truly believe their past is vital to the quality of the future.”

The rehabilitation project will result in major improvements in the bridge’s structure – the two traffic lanes will be widened, the metal decking will be replaced, new and improved machinery will operate the drawbridge, the handrails and ornate light poles will be replaced – but with modern copies of the original Victorian-era designs.

Improved safety will be another feature of the new bridge. A safety barrier will separate the roadway from the sidewalks and the improvements in the piers and foundation will lessen the frequency and impact of boats passing through the channel beneath the bridge.

One of the most impressive elements of the project will be the construction of a temporary bridge adjacent to the Bridge of Lions. When completed, traffic will flow smoothly over this temporary structure while the Bridge of Lions is closed for rehabilitation. The temporary bridge will also function as a drawbridge to allow the safe and timely passage of ships and boats. City residents believe the expense of this bridge, which will be removed at the end of the project, is well worth the cost of insuring an enjoyable experience for the millions of visitors who will enjoy the oldest city and marvel at the rehabilitation of the Bridge of Lions for the next five years.

Opened to traffic in 1927, the Bridge of Lions has served as a backdrop for romance and artistic creativity in a city known for its Old World charm. This unique Florida atmosphere will be enhanced by the renovation of the bridge’s red-tiled towers and the parks that will be re-established at both the east and west approaches. Even the bridge’s namesakes, the stately white lions carved in Florence, Italy, will be repaired, cleaned and protected until they are returned to their positions of honor guarding the improved bridge’s western approach.

Appropriately, the renovation project dedicated to one of St. Augustine’s most beloved landmarks will begin on February 14 – a special Valentine’s Day for everyone who believes love is truly timeless.

For more information on events, historic attractions, and vacation opportunities in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and the Beaches, call 1.800.653.2489 or go to the Visitors and Convention Bureau website www.Getaway4Florida.com.