02/16/2023 – UPDATE – The FDOT page has this project set to begin in the spring of 2023, to be completed by the summer of 2024 and there will NOT be a full closure of this bridge.
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It looks like now that the Florida DOT has paid of the Schwenkee family for some sort of clarification on the right to go over the C-17 that the plans for to replace the US-1 bridge over the C-17 in North Palm Beach by Frigates is moving forward. I got a letter from the Coast Guard as sort of a notice to abutters. THE BRIDGE IS GOING TO REMAIN OPEN DURING CONSTRUCTION. The plans now have the ‘opening’ for a boat to get both wider and taller by about 1.61′ but honestly though, who knows. The CURRENT mean high water clearance of that bridge is a little under 8′. I go under every time I’m out in the boat and I drop my bimini but I can reach over my head and touch the beam no problem. They are reporting that Bridge Clearance is NOW 9.61′ ABOVE MHW. Maybe to the bottom of the deck but not the beams holding it up. CLICK HERE to see to construction plans. The section below shows the ‘Low Member’ Elevation at +11.58 (NAVD) and the MHW at +0.35′. Call it 11′ clear at MHW under the new bridge or 3′ more clearance than the now 8′. Someone important must live behind that bridge.
