Coast Guard To Shut Down Highbridge Next Week

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Ormond Beach, FL - The United States Coast Guard will close one of the few remaining drawbridges over the Intracoastal Waterway next week so workers can install new bridge operation controls.

The L.B. Knox Bridge in Ormond Beach - better known as Highbridge - will be closed to marine traffic starting from 7 a.m. Tuesday (July 24th) through 7 p.m. Thursday (July 26th).

The drawbridge - which has been plagued by failures over recent years - will not open for emergencies during that time, according to Volusia County spokesperson Kate Sark.

"There is no alternate route for [large] vessels to pass," Sark added. "Vessels able to safely pass under the bridge in the closed position may do so at any time."

Vehicle traffic over Highbridge - which is just to the east of Bulow Creek State Park - will not be affected, per Sark.

"About 1,100 vehicles cross the bridge each day," Sark noted.

Built in 1955, Highbridge is part of the northern leg of the Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail and is one of 54 bridges maintained by Volusia County.