Photo for Headline Surfer / Lake County motorists need to be especially alert today with significant bridge repair work slated to begin in earnest on this Monday morning as shown by this sign approaching the bridge on SR 19 and similar bridge work on US 441.
EUSTIS – Motorists traveling in the area of US 441 and SR 19 should prepare for bridge repairs and rehabilitation starting today, a spokesman for the Florida Department of Transportation cautioned.
The improvements consist of concrete bridge deck removal and replacement, as well as repaving the entire bridge approach. The removal of the old bridge deck and its replacement will impact traffic on State Road 19 in both directions of the bridge, as well as under the bridge on US 441.
"The contractor anticipates working weekdays in two shifts, nearly around the clock. Two major traffic control phases are scheduled for this project," Central Florida DOT spokesman Steve Olson told Headline Surfer, adding the bridge improvements will be in two phases:
* Phase I, while the southbound side of the bridge deck is demolished, all lanes of traffic on SR 19 will be switched onto the northbound side.
* Phase II portion of the deck removal is estimated to occur in November with all lanes of SR 19 traffic switched onto the new southbound side.
"Once the new bridge is complete, the approach roadway will be repaved," Olson said. "Normal traffic flow, the same pattern as exists today, two lanes for both northbound and southbound, will resume on a newly constructed bridge deck, sometime in late December."
"Once the new bridge is complete, the approach roadway will be repaved," Olson said. "Normal traffic flow, the same pattern as exists today, two lanes for both northbound and southbound, will resume on a newly constructed bridge deck, sometime in late December."
The project wraps up in early 2014, he said.
This repair and rehabilitation will be done by FDOT’s contractor, ZEP Construction, Inc. and will cost $1.1 million. Weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances could alter work schedules.