INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — There’s a new option for making the highest span of the A.B. Michael (Wabasso) Bridge safer for pedestrians and bicyclists. But it will quintuple the cost.
The Florida Department of Transportation already had begun installing a chain-link fence. But after receiving more than 150 complaints from residents of the barrier island about its aesthetics, FDOT halted the work and now plans to adopt a system in use by the California Department of Transportation.
“There was a widespread effort from the community to put a halt to that project for aesthetic reasons,” said Orchid Interim Town Manager Cherry Stowe. “It was an overwhelming number (of complaints) to FDOT and it did indeed motivate them to take a look at other options.”
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Over the past few weeks, FDOT has considered lowering the chain link fence from 3 feet to 2 feet; widening the bridge; using railings similar to those on the Alma Lee Loy and Merrill Barber bridges in Vero Beach; and adopting the California system.
FDOT settled on the California system as the best alternative, even though it will cost $880,000, almost five times the $180,000 cost of the chain-link fence. FDOT still will cover the cost.
Putting a safety barrier on each side of the highest span, about 60-feet above the Indian River Lagoon, is essential to protect bicyclists and pedestrians, according to Stowe. For years, cyclists and members of the Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Bicycle Advisory Committee have unsuccessfully urged FDOT to make improvements for both bicyclists and pedestrians.
The new system will be 48 inches from the pavement to the top of the railing, providing an additional 16 inches of protection for riders and pedestrians as they cross the bridge.
The railing will be made of galvanized steel treated to withstand the environment, and is expected to last several decades. The design features square tubing mounted to the outside of the existing concrete barrier and would extend out 7 inches. Of the three horizontal railings, only the top two would be visible from the bridge.
FDOT expects to present its plan to the MPO Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Tuesday and to the MPO Board of Directors Wednesday.
Orchid Mayor Bob Gibbons said FDOT is looking for positive community feedback before moving forward, although he thinks the new rail system will get the green light.
“It’s quite clear that they are ready to go,” Gibbons told the Town Council Thursday. “They are anxious to do it quickly. They have a contract for the fabrication of the railings and they want to move ahead.”
Janet Begley is a local freelance writer. If you like articles like this and other TCPalm coverage of Treasure Coast news, please support our journalism and subscribe now.