GOVERNMENT
MOVING RIGHT ALONG
Next phase of Crosstown Parkway project
targets traffic congestion
Signs of the times are evident in the Crosstown Parkway
extension neighborhoods as major construction is
about to begin on a bridge over the North Fork of the
St. Lucie River that will add another east-west connection
in the city and alleviate traffic congestion on the older
bridges during peak times.
In January, the easternmost leg of the parkway was blocked
off at Sandia Drive in preparation for utility relocation. Last
year, everything along east West Virginia Drive, including 90
homes, was razed.
“Bridge construction will begin on the west bank at Coral
Reef Drive,” says Patricia Roebling, assistant city manager.
Following the issuance of two permits from the Army Corps
of Engineers and the Coast Guard, an all-day job fair is
planned for late April at the civic center.
An official groundbreaking event is tentatively scheduled
for 10 a.m., May 9, east of the intersection of Crosstown Parkway
and Sandia within the project limits and closed roadway.
The project will continue into the summer with utility
relocation, more land clearing, erosion control, water/sewer
installation and bridge cap pre-casting. By May, there should
be signs of bridge work beginning with trestle installation,
and perhaps test pile installation.
Due to permit restrictions, a trestle, or temporary steel
structure will be built adjacent to the new bridge that will follow.
To avoid impacts to the land, a large crane will build the >>
40 Port St. Lucie Magazine
CROSSTOWN EXTENSION WEBSITE
Access points on the long-awaited third bridge will feature custom Guy Harvey artwork, topped with a brushed stainless steel fish sculpture.
BY DEBRA MAGRANN