TRANSPORTATION
BRIDGE ON THE
NORTH FORK
Crosstown Parkway allows easier access
over the river to connect city’s east and west
Crews work on the construction of Crosstown Parkway’s east end, where the six-lane highway meets with South U.S. 1.
BY SUSAN BURGESS
Almost 40 years ago, the Port St. Lucie City Council
had a dream of a wide, smooth highway crossing
the North Fork of the St. Lucie River, letting
residents travel in comfort from the east to the west
side of the city.
Thirty-nine years later, the aptly named Crosstown Parkway
is embarking on its grand opening and is as beautiful
and sweeping as the original dreamers hoped.
The project spanned six mayors, starting with William B.
McChesney in 1980 and ending with Gregory Oravec.
The Crosstown Parkway, with its new 4,000-foot bridge
over the North Fork, connects the two sides of the city. The
just completed two-mile section of road, which includes the
bridge, was the missing link between east and west.
GREG GARDNER
“It’s going to make our lives in Port St. Lucie even better,”
Mayor Oravec said of the essential bridge. “Getting around
town will be easier, emergency response times will be faster
and our economy will be even bigger.”
The Crosstown bridge, named the Walter B. England III
Memorial Bridge to honor the long-time city engineer, joins
the two earlier bridges over the North Fork at Port St. Lucie
and Prima Vista boulevards, both built decades ago to accommodate
12 Port St. Lucie Magazine
the needs of a much smaller city.
The six-lane divided highway will not only speed motorists
on their way but also serve as a new evacuation route.
It provides space for bicyclists and pedestrians on the side.
Overlooks allow people to stop and enjoy the scenery as they
cross wetlands and the winding, picturesque North Fork. >>