Bridge work will affect boaters and drivers

FORT LAUDERDALE — Four upcoming bridge closures will impact commuters and boaters over the next few weeks. They include: A drawbridge on the New River west of Andrews Avenue will be closed to marine traffic Saturday through Feb. 23 to make upgrades for Brightline, an express passenger rail service to run between Miami and Orlando. The normally upright Florida East Coast Railway bridge will close at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday and is expected to reopen on Feb. 23 at 12:01 a.m.

A second drawbridge west of Interstate 95 over the south fork of the New River will be closed for repairs during the same time. The channel will be closed to boaters nightly between 9:30 p.m. and 6 a.m. Saturday through Feb. 23 while crews work on the CSX railroad bridge and install a new submarine conduit system.

Broward County crews also will be working on the Andrews Avenue Bridge over the New River Saturday to Feb. 23. One of two northbound lanes will be temporarily closed Monday through Wednesday and Feb. 20-21 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Andrews Avenue bridge will be closed to boat traffic Saturday through Feb. 21 from 10 p.m. to 9 a.m.

Broward County will be working on the Southwest Fourth/Seventh Avenue bridge over the New River Wednesday through Friday. The work will reduce movement and noise as cars travel over the bridge. The road will be closed to cars and pedestrians from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Traffic will be detoured to Andrews Avenue.

Shipyard owner Bob Roscioli said several yachts have already left his shipyard in anticipation of the bridge closings.

“It’s like a mass exodus,” he said. “They don’t want to be stuck for the next 12 days. They have to be out of here by Saturday.”

Roscioli and other shipyard owners filed a federal lawsuit last month hoping to block the closing of the FEC drawbridge, but failed.

JOE CAVARETTA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER David Civita, Hollywood Fire and Rescue 2016 Firefighter of the Year, grabs his bunker gear to start his 24-hour shift Thursday at Fire Rescue Station 74. Civita was honored for his dedication and service to the fire department and the citizens of...