North bridge construction commences

The Florida Department of Transportation closed one lane on the Siesta Key north bridge Monday, June 11, marking the start of nightly lane closures for construction expected to last until October.

The north bridge rehabilitation project officially began Tuesday, June 5, but machines, workers and construction materials trickled into the tiny parking lots on each side of the bridge during the following week. There is currently one lift machine and sheets of metal in the lot on the west side of the bridge.

A construction worker was spotted inspecting the road in the middle of the bridge with a flashlight June 11, prior to the lane closure; drivers are encouraged to use caution, even when both lanes are flowing freely. Speeding fines are doubled for that stretch of road when workers are present.