INDIAN RIVER COUNTY— After complaints from the towns of Orchid and Indian River Shores, the Florida Department of Transportation has halted construction of the 3-foot-high chain link fence across the highest span of the A.B. Michael (Wabasso) Bridge.
The fence was designed to protect bicyclists as they crossed the span that sits approximately 60 feet above the Indian River Lagoon.
For years, cyclists and members of the Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Bicycle Advisory Committee have urged the Florida Department of Transportation to make improvements for both bicyclists and pedestrians to the bridge.
Over the summer, the state paid $180,000 for a contractor to install a safety fence. White posts were installed across the highest points of the bridge to anchor the planned galvanized steel chain link fence.
Residents of Orchid and Indian River Shores contacted their local town governments to complain the fence would obstruct their view of the lagoon below and asked for a more aesthetically pleasing alternative.
Orchid Mayor Bob Gibbons contacted FDOT asking for an alternative to the chain link fence which would address both the interests of safety and aesthetics.
“Residents throughout the barrier island to the north of the City of Vero Beach regularly rely on the 510 bridge as their means of access between the mainland and their homes,” said Gibbons. “Therefore, I believe the chain-link fencing plan for the 510 bridge is a matter of serious concern for all communities in this area.”
After calls from both Gibbons and Indian River Shores Mayor Brian Foley, FDOT decided to suspend the project to search for better alternatives.
MPO Staff Director Brian Freeman said the decision makes sense to him.
“I think everyone wants the bridge to be safe, but we need to be sensitive to the aesthetics as well,” said Freeman. “There’s a lot of beautiful, natural scenery along the lagoon and I do think a chain link fence could detract from the view.”
Kris Kehres, an operations engineer for FDOT, said the existing traffic concrete barriers of the Wabasso bridge were retrofitted in 2005 with a "vertical face retrofit traffic railing," as per FDOT standard plans.
A rail on top of the existing traffic railing, similar to one on the Barber Bridge and the Alma Lee Loy Bridge is not possible because the Wabasso bridge is not configured the same way as the other bridges.
Bicycle enthusiast Bob Auwaerter from Indian River Shores said there’s no question that something needs to be done about safety on the bridge for both bicyclists and pedestrians.
“They have to come up with something,” said Auwaerter. “You cannot allow that bridge to remain as it is. I’ve never ridden across it because it’s just too dangerous. To leave it in its current state would be unacceptable.”
Guillermo Camedo, communications manager for FDOT said the safety project to install a 3-foot chain-link fence on the outside of the two concrete bridge barriers on the S.R. 510 Wabasso Beach Road high level bridge is temporarily on hold.
“The Department is researching viable options that could be used and meet safety standards,” said Camedo. “We expect to discuss the options we have with the interested parties in the next few weeks.”
Janet Begley is a local freelance writer. If you like articles like this and other TCPalm coverage of Treasure Coast news, please support our journalism and subscribe.