February 2019
Major milestone reached on the Crosstown Parkway Extension
PORT ST. LUCIE, FL 鈥� A major milestone was reached on the Crosstown Parkway Extension Project, Archer Western Construction poured concrete for the final bridge deck, officially connecting the Walter B. England, III Memorial Bridge over the North Fork of the St. Lucie River.
With deck pours starting in March 2018, Archer Western poured a total of 31 decks in 11 months. Decks were poured during nighttime hours due to weather conditions including air temperature, wind speed and humidity to ensure the quality of the riding surface and prevent cracking.
鈥淭his last deck pour was a history-making event and a visible sign of the tremendous progress being made on the Crosstown Parkway bridge,鈥� Port St. Lucie City Manager Russ Blackburn said. 鈥淲e know residents are very excited about this progress. However, we鈥檇 like to remind drivers that the bridge still needs work, and it is not yet open.鈥�
A video of the last deck pour can be viewed .
While the bridge now connects the existing Crosstown Parkway with U.S. Highway 1 at Village Green Drive; drivers will not be permitted to drive over the bridge until project completion. Archer Western still has significant activities that need to take place, including the installation of bridge deck joints, barrier walls, highway lighting, Minnesota rail and pedestrian handrail. Archer Western also will be planing and grooving the decks, which improve water runoff and rideability for the deck surface.
Upon completion, the six-lane divided highway and bridge will provide a much needed third east-west connection across the North Fork of the St. Lucie River, alleviating traffic congestion on Port St. Lucie and Prima Vista Boulevards. The project will also serve as a multi-modal transportation alternative with accommodations for automobile, bicycle, pedestrian and public transit. Bridge opening and project completion is anticipated in Fall 2019.