Bridge work to again close Colonial Drive near downtown Orlando

Closures needed for work on pedestrian overpass

ORLANDO, Fla. – A busy stretch of West Colonial Drive near downtown Orlando will remain closed Monday night while crews work on a pedestrian overpass bridge.

Officials from the city of Orlando warned people that the closure would happen between Orange Avenue and Garland Avenue beginning Friday at 10 p.m. through Saturday at 6 a.m., and then continue Saturday at 11:30 p.m. until Sunday at 7:30 a.m. and Sunday at 10 p.m. through Monday at 6 a.m. 

Mother Nature, however, had different plans, forcing officials to continue the roadwork Monday night.

"Due to weather overnight Friday, the full closure of West Colonial Drive to install the cables/truss for the Colonial Drive pedestrian overpass bridge has been extended to include an overnight closure beginning Monday night at 10 p.m. and ending Tuesday at 5 a.m.," Orlando spokeswoman Karyn Barber said. 

Message boards and detour signs were placed, warning motorists of the closures.

"Well, I know it’s hassle," driver Kevin Finley said. 

Finley is like many drivers who were forced to find different routes all weekend. The city of Orlando said the new quarter-mile bridge is aimed at making downtown more pedestrian friendly. 

"With downtown being as busy as it is, it’s really nowhere around it -- just try to find an alternative route the best you can," Finley said.

The city of Orlando said the entire project should be completed by early 2019. The whole point is to better connect residents and visitors to Orlando’s downtown neighborhoods, business districts, the SunRail train system and more.

"If it means it’s going to be more pedestrian friendly, it brings better people downtown, walkable people, people riding bikes, that kind of thing -- so I think it’s wonderful," driver Sarah Stead said.

For more information about the project, click here.


About the Author:

Jerry Askin is an Atlanta native who came to News 6 in March 2018 with an extensive background in breaking news.

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