The 17th Street Bridge (officially named the Alma Lee Loy Bridge in 2012) is a fixed concrete bridge that spans the
Indian River intracoastal waterway in
Indian River County, Florida
Indian River County ( es, Condado de Río Indio, link=) is a county located in the Treasure Coast region of the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2020 census, the population was 159,788. Its seat is Vero Beach. It is Florida's 7th richest count ...
. The bridge, started in 1977, was constructed by Gulf Contracting Inc, FL and was completed in 1979.
The Florida Department of Transportation bridge number is 880077.
The bridge has a total of four motor vehicle lanes and two bicycle lanes. The vertical clearance is .
On the river it crosses the ICW at Statute Mile 953, south of flashing day beacon #145A.
In 2018, the bridge was found to be in critical condition, needing prompt repair. It was assessed to be structurally deficient in May 2020 according to
Florida Department of Transportation
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is a decentralized agency charged with the establishment, maintenance, and regulation of public transportation in the state of Florida. The department was formed in 1969. It absorbed the powers of t ...
inspection reports. A major overhaul is planned in 2024.
Controversy
Citizens are petitioning the government to add concrete barriers to protect the bicycle lanes after a child was killed crossing the bridge.
The Florida DOT insists the 38 foot width each direction is too narrow for two travel lanes and a protected bicycle lane.
References
External links
Indian River County Historical Timeline
{{Bridges of Florida
Road bridges in Florida
Bridges completed in 1979
Concrete bridges in Florida
Buildings and structures in Vero Beach, Florida
Transportation buildings and structures in Indian River County, Florida
Indian River Lagoon
Bridges over the Indian River (Florida)
1979 establishments in Florida
Transportation in Vero Beach, Florida