Palm Beach County, Florida – The Hardesty & Hanover/PCL Design/Build team has been awarded the design and construction of a new twin double leaf rolling lift bridge in Palm Beach County, Florida, replacing the existing historic Flagler Memorial Bridge. The current bridge, which is over 70 years old and spans over the Lake Worth Lagoon connecting the town of Palm Beach and the city of West Palm Beach.

A wider and higher bridge will replace the current low level (17 ft clearance at navigable channel) 4-lane bridge which is 2299 ft long with a 115 ft rolling lift span. The alignment of the new 4 lane bridge will be located just south of the existing bridge and include a new rolling lift span with a 21 ft vertical clearance and 125 ft of horizontal clearance at the navigable channel.  The importance of the bridge crossing means existing traffic needs to be maintained while the new bridge is built and the current bridge is demolished.

Historic markers will be incorporated into the replacement bridge to commemorate Henry Morrison Flagler’s contribution to the development of South Florida. The design of the new bridge will also integrate the historical significance of Henry Flagler and relocate the gateway pylons donated by Colonel Edward R. Bradley to the east abutment of the new bridge.