After years of stop‑and‑go traffic at the D.H. “Banty” Saunders drawbridge, Fort Pierce drivers are about to get a smoother ride to the barrier island. A new high‑span replacement for the A1A North Causeway is set to open Friday morning, a move local officials say will cut delays, strengthen evacuation routes and tighten the connection to North Hutchinson Island.
When Traffic Shifts To The New Bridge
Vehicles will start using the new State Road A1A North Causeway Bridge at 8 a.m. on Friday, weather permitting, with the existing drawbridge closing to traffic at the same time, according to WPBF.
The roughly 1.2‑mile project began construction in May 2023, and finishing work on accessory elements is expected to continue through late 2027, according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
What The New Span Offers
WPTV got an early look at the bridge, where FDOT staff described the structure as “a really beautiful structure.” Senior FDOT project manager Joshua Baker went a step further, calling it “magical,” while senior project engineer Bill Stuckey said “the bridge is not 100 percent complete, but it's definitely complete to get traffic up here so we can continue building the project.”
The station reported that bicycle lanes and the 12‑foot‑wide shared path will stay closed at opening while crews finish shoreline improvements and build out an observation deck under the west side of the span.
Project materials list several design features aimed at cutting down both marine and motorist delays. The new bridge carries one 12‑foot travel lane in each direction, has barrier‑protected sidewalks and a 12‑foot shared‑use path on the north side, plus 7‑foot buffered bicycle lanes in the shoulders. FDOT plans also show roughly 85 feet of vertical clearance and 125 feet of horizontal clearance over the Intracoastal Waterway, an observation deck beneath the west side of the bridge, and new access roads for businesses east of the Florida East Coast Railway, according to FDOT.
Businesses Hope For A Boost, Old Drawbridge Faces Demolition
Businesses along the causeway are betting that fewer traffic snags will mean more customers. “It’s just going to increase everything for us,” Thomas Loaicono, executive chef at Skipper Cove, told WPTV.
The D.H. “Banty” Saunders drawbridge will close when the new span opens. Demolition is planned as part of the final project work, and debris from the old structure is likely to be placed on an artificial reef about four miles northeast of the Fort Pierce Inlet, according to St. Lucie Voice.
What Drivers Need To Know Friday
Drivers will be routed onto the new A1A span from U.S. 1 at the A1A intersection starting at 8 a.m., but officials caution that the bike lanes, the 12‑foot shared path and the observation deck will remain off‑limits while crews finish tie‑ins and shoreline work, according to WPBF.
Motorists should expect lane shifts, intermittent work zones and evolving traffic patterns as contractors complete the last phases that connect Old Dixie Highway, Juanita Avenue and Sunny Lane to the new alignment. Crews will continue building out sidewalks, parking areas and access to the observation deck beneath the west end in the months ahead, even after vehicles are using the bridge.
For the latest lane advisories and local notices, officials urge residents to monitor City of Fort Pierce alerts and traffic pages. The new span is intended to cut delays, improve evacuation options and enhance safety for drivers, pedestrians and boaters.
