PRESS RELEASE

March 1, 2013

For Immediate Release

Contact:

Michael Lieberum

Commander, Seventh Coast Guard District

305-415-6744

Flagler Bridge Closing 

 Public Notice

Palm Beach, FL -  The Seventh Coast Guard District understands the seriousness of this situation as the addition of 16,000 vehicles being detoured to an already stressed transportation corridor is going to be very disruptive to normal commuting times. 

The town mayors, the bridge contractor and the bridge owner have all asked the Coast Guard to consider restricting the Royal Park Bridge openings and we are partnering with these entities to help provide solutions to their traffic problems. Due to the length of time it will take to build the new bridge, any changes to the bridge regulations could be in effect for up to two years. This Coast Guard understands this will place a burden on the boating public.

This Public Notice was drafted for informational purposes for the boating public. This office is considering changing the current schedule of the Royal Park Bridge; but we do not have any details to provide at this time and we only have a 30-day window to work with, so notification of changes will be short.

As the project moves forward and restrictions are put in place, please adjust your schedules accordingly. If the restrictions are placing an undue hardship on you or your business please contact Mr. Michael Lieberum at the email address above.

Please watch for updates in the Seventh Coast Guard District Local Notice to Mariners which can be found at www.navcen.uscg.gov.

As many in the boating public are aware, the Flagler Memorial Bridge across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Palm Beach, Florida is expected to close to vehicle traffic on April 1, 2013, if not sooner. For this reason, all vehicle traffic will need to be diverted to Royal Park (Okeechobee) Bridge south of this structure.