Daytona Beach, FL - Volusia County officials say the Veterans Memorial Bridge is just weeks away from opening for the driving public. They are reporting the project has reached a significant milestone with the completion of the driving surface. The bridge deck is finished and now workers are putting in the finishing touches.
“The amount of work it has taken to get us to this point has been incredible,” said Tadd Kasbeer, Volusia County’s director of engineering and construction. “Building a bridge is a monumental undertaking, and it feels really good to be in the homestretch. This is going to be a genuine landmark for Volusia County.”
The official name is the Tom Staed Veterans Memorial Bridge. It replaces the old Orange Avenue bridge built in 1954. It is the only concrete arch bridge in Florida. In addition to the visually striking series of grand arches, the bridge will also feature sidewalks, a fishing pier on both sides of the river and plaques at 28 scenic overlooks commemorating conflicts in America’s military history. The $46.2 million cost to design and build the 1,885-foot-long bridge is being paid for by the federal government.
There is still more work to do. That includes the construction of railings between the vehicle lanes and the pedestrian walkways, railings between the pedestrian walkways and the outside borders of the bridge and
installation of utility cable and lights.
