Bridge of Lions gains center span -- New concrete surface will be more effecient, offer cars better traction

A sailboat passes by the newly installed east span of the Bridge of Lions following a two-day channel closure Wednesday morning, June 24, 2009. More channel closures are scheduled for June 29 at 8 a.m. until July 1 at 8 a.m. and July 7 at 8 a.m. until July 9 at 8 a.m. The new bridge will have poured concrete spans instead of the former open grading system. According to Florida Department of Transportation's spokeswoman Laurie Sanderson, this will improve traction for motorists and is better for the environment. BY DARON DEAN, daron.dean@staugustine.com

Bridge of Lions gains center span --- New concrete surface will be more effecient, offer cars better traction

By EDEN TAYLOR
t.eden.taylor@staugustine.com
Publication Date: 06/25/09

The Bridge of Lions reached a new milestone early Wednesday morning when workers fitted the new east-side center span, a visible sign that completion of the bridge is nearing.

Unlike the old center span, the new center span will feature a more efficient and environmentally friendly concrete filling.

"The original Bridge of Lions used an open-steel grating," said Laurie Sanderson, Bridge of Lions information officer. "The rehabilitated Bridge of Lions will have a lightweight concrete, which will allow for better traction for cars."

While the original open-steel grating center span allowed motor oils and polluted water to leak into the inlet, the new center span will have a treatment system to collect and clean polluted liquids before they are released into the Matanzas River, Sanderson said.

To accommodate the installation of the west-side center span, officials will close the channel from July 7 to July 9 to all boat traffic.

The restoration process is on schedule, according to Sanderson. Workers this week are laying the red clay roofing on the octagonal towers, and they will place the remaining steel girders as construction progresses.

The bridge is scheduled to reopen later this year, probably in December, Sanderson said.

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