VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – Construction on a brand new bridge started in Volusia County Thursday that will one day bring traffic relief for hundreds of drivers.
The new Tom Staed Veterans Memorial Bridge, commonly known as the Orange Avenue or Silver Avenue bridge, will replace its 60-year-old predecessor which has been closed since June 6.
"The bridge is costing the county taxpayers over $300,000 a year just to fix it," said Volusia Councilman Jason Davis. "It's an old archaic, old technology draw bridge."
The $38 million project is funded by federal tax dollars. Rising to a height of 65 feet, the bridge will have two lanes and include 8-foot-wide sidewalks, fishing piers and plaques commemorating American military history.
"It means a lot to me to know that forever our conflicts will be noted and people will be able to come up and see this," said Davis.
Construction is expected to take 32 months. Drivers are urged to use International Speedway Boulevard as an alternate during the nearly three years of construction.