St. Augustine drivers who lean on the King Street Bridge to get in and out of downtown are in for a long detour. The span over the San Sebastian River is set to close to traffic on Monday, April 13, 2026, for a rehabilitation project that city officials say will keep the bridge shut for roughly seven months. During the work, traffic will be pushed to a detour using Ponce de Leon Boulevard (U.S. 1) and Malaga Street, where a temporary traffic signal is already in place to handle the extra volume. Commuters, delivery trucks and downtown visitors are being told to brace for slower trips and plan alternate routes.
Closure details and detours
According to the City of St. Augustine, the King Street span will close April 13 and "will remain closed for approximately seven months" while rehabilitation work is completed. Posted detour signs will send drivers along U.S. 1 and Malaga Street, with a temporary signal installed at the US‑1/Malaga intersection to help meter traffic. City officials are urging roadway users to follow the detour signage and build extra time into any trip that takes them near downtown.
Project scope and timeline
Per FDOT, the rehabilitation will feature upgraded aesthetic lighting, new bridge railings and shared‑use lane markings. J.B. Coxwell is listed as the contractor on the roughly $13.4 million project. FDOT puts the project start in Spring 2026 with expected completion in Spring 2027 and notes that the official detour will run from Ponce de Leon Boulevard (U.S. 1) to Malaga Street for the duration of construction.
What drivers should know
The city and FDOT are telling drivers to stick with the posted detour route and to check real‑time traffic conditions through the Florida 511 system or the FL511 app before heading out. The city’s traffic updates also highlight the new temporary signal at the US‑1/Malaga intersection as a key piece of the detour plan. For additional details and ongoing updates, residents can check the City of St. Augustine News Flash.
Why this matters
Local officials have framed the bridge work as part of a broader series of King Street improvements. News4Jax reported on an $18 million road redevelopment for the King Street corridor that will run alongside FDOT's bridge rehabilitation. Together, the projects are intended to boost safety and pedestrian access along one of downtown St. Augustine’s busiest corridors, even as they concentrate construction impacts in the historic core through much of 2026.
