Mid Bay Bridge in Destin, FL closed indefinitely due to repairs

I know a few people here have spent time in that area. In case you'll be in the area soon, be aware.

LINK

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Officials with the Florida Department of Transportation say the Mid-Bay Bridge will be closed indefinitely and they do not know when it will reopen.

The closure of the bridge happened after routine inspection found corrosion on the bridge. Authorities say the bridge averages about 22,000 cars per day.

Davis Joyner works in Destin and says he uses the bridge every day. He says he had to drive 60 extra miles all the way around the bay just to get to work.

"You have to totally change your entire commute to go to work," Joyner said. "I live right by the bridge so I have to go the entire way around through Fort Walton or Freeport."

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We live north of Destin and have a company banquet to go to down by the outlet malls this Saturday. I haven't personally experienced how this is affecting traffic flow through Destin to the island, which is pretty crappy on weekends in normal conditions. Should be fun.




On a side note, this bridge being 2 lane still makes me scratch my head.


ETA another article

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For the second time in 20 years, corrosion to support cables known as “tendons” has forced the Florida Department of Transportation to close the busy Mid-Bay Bridge for emergency repairs.

FDOT spokesman Ian Satter confirmed Wednesday the corrosion that caused this year’s closure “sounds similar” to what had previously occurred.

He could offer no timetable for when the latest repairs would be completed and the bridge reopened to traffic. The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office reported it had been informed the shutdown could last “a couple of weeks.”

In 2000 the bridge was closed for all or part of 25 days and cost the bridge owner, the Mid-Bay Bridge Authority, $6 million in repairs and lost toll revenues..

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