SR A1A over Sebastian Inlet - Bridge Replacement

PROJECT LIMITS

The project location is the Sebastian Inlet Bridge (No. 880005), a 1,548-foot long bridge carrying State Road (SR) A1A over the Sebastian Inlet at the Indian River and Brevard County line. The project limits extend approximately 1.108 miles from Mile Post 21.956 south of the bridge in Indian River County north to Mile Post 0.395 in Brevard County.

The Sebastian Inlet Bridge (bridge) is located adjacent to the Sebastian Inlet State Park and within the Sebastian Inlet District Commission right of way (ROW). The bridge spans the Sebastian Inlet, one of five navigable channels that connect the Indian River Lagoon to the Atlantic Ocean. The closest connections to the Atlantic Ocean are Fort Pierce Inlet 28 miles to the south and Port Canaveral Inlet 29 miles to the north.

PROJECT PURPOSE

The bridge was evaluated by District Four on November 14, 2018 following Hurricane Florence. Based on this evaluation the bridge was rated as structurally deficient with a sufficiency rating of 51.6 and a health index of 79.8. The FDOT Bridge Policy dictates that structurally deficient bridges should be replaced within six years of being deemed structurally deficient. Bridges with a health index of less than 85 require repairs or replacement.

The purpose of this project is to address the structural and functional deficiencies of the existing bridge and address the gap in system linkage for bicyclists and pedestrians. 

PROJECT HISTORY/BACKGROUND

The James H. Pruitt Memorial Bridge, commonly known as the Sebastian Inlet Bridge and identified as structure number 880005 in the National Bridge Inventory was built in 1964. The 1,548-foot-long bridge carries SR A1A over the Sebastian Inlet at the Indian River and Brevard County line and has been deemed in poor condition, identified as structurally deficient, functionally obsolete, and scour critical. Campgrounds and a boat ramp are located at the southern entrance and fishing occurs at the north entrance. A swimming cove and beach area are also located to the northwest of the bridge. 

- 1964: Constructed

- 1978 and 2003: Repaired/retrofit

- Vertical clearance: 37 feet

- Horizontal clearance: 120 feet

- Bridge width: 34 feet – 3 inches

- Structurally and functionally deficient 

- Observation/fishing piers under the bridge north and south of the inlet

- Recommended NRHP-eligible under Criterion C, engineering, for its high-integrity embodiment of prestressed concrete and bridge in Florida

- Part of 233-mile Indian River Lagoon National Scenic Byway (June 13, 2000)

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