Travel headaches continue for Palm Beach County commuters as the much-anticipated reopening of the Donald Ross Road bridge hit a snag. The bridge's return to service was pushed back after last-minute safety issues cropped up, reported Palm Beach County officials. The contractor, who had been working around the clock, couldn't overcome a hitch with the high-pressure hydraulics crucial for bridge operations. The result? No cars rolling over the bridge as planned.
The glitch, plaguing the bridge's mechanisms late into the night of April 29 and into the dawn of April 30, sent the hydraulic unit manufacturer scrambling to dispatch a team to the site. The team is set to arrive within the hour to get to the root of the problem, as per Palm Beach County's statement. Due to these unexpected issues, drivers were supposed to have been whizzing across yesterday, will have to wait a bit longer before any tires hit the tarmac. Having initially toyed with the idea of maintaining two-way traffic on one half of the structure, the county quickly shelved those plans upon realizing the traffic couldn't be safely redirected in such a constrained space.
The ongoing woes with the westbound side of the Donald Ross Road bridge are not over. The bridge closure is slated to kick off on Thursday, May 9, confirming what officials had previously announced. The refurbishment of the hydraulics and control systems of the bridge is not just an upgrade but deemed essential for the daily hustle and bustle of Palm Beach County's traffic flow.
While some residents might see the delay as another bump in the road, the county is calling for patience. Palm Beach County Engineering and Public Works is keenly aware of the inconvenience caused and is asking the public to hang tight. "EPW appreciates the community’s patience and understanding throughout this temporary inconvenience, as we work to enhance the safety and efficiency of the County’s infrastructure," according to Palm Beach County official statement. This bridge saga, like all repair tales, promises an end - locals surely hope it's sooner rather than later.
