JUPITER
U.S. 1 bridge in Jupiter opens with more traffic lanes, paved sidewalks, bike paths
The U.S. 1 bridge in Jupiter has been going through a transformation for more than two years.
Maya Washburn
Palm Beach Post
JUPITER — The new U.S. 1 bridge in Jupiter is now in its final configuration, with more lanes, sidewalks and bike paths than the old span that state officials closed more than two years ago.
The $122 million bridge opened just before dawn April 14 — just in time for morning commutes — with two lanes, one bike lane and one sidewalk in each direction, a project spokesperson said. Traffic engineers closed the bridge over the weekend so crews could finish the work.
More than 100 crew members have worked on the bridge around the clock on weekdays and weekends since the old bridge closed for construction on March 13, 2023.
Crews have weathered intense heat and storm threats. Nearby business owners have said the construction and detour routes have discouraged people from visiting their restaurants and shops.
The previous bridge linking Jupiter and Tequesta, which was built in 1958 and whose condition deteriorated over time, has been demolished.
What are crews working on next?
Through April, crews will work on some of the bridge’s finer details.
The tender control house.
Pedestrian walkways and traffic rails.
A pedestrian bridge under the south side that will connect to Jupiter’s Riverwalk area.
A retention pond under the south side.
They will also do electrical work, mechanical installations and painting. All work is expected to finish in early 2026.
Will there still be lane closures on the U.S. 1 bridge in Jupiter?
Yes. Depending on when crews need it, lanes may intermittently close, and sometimes overnight.
“As this is an active work zone, please proceed with caution,” wrote Meredith Cruz, a spokesperson for the project, in a prepared statement.
How does the new U.S. 1 bridge in Jupiter differ from the last?
People wait for the bridge to go down on the new $122 million Jupiter Bridge that is partially opened allowing vehicles to use one lane in each direction and a sidewalk for pedestrians on the West side of the bridge on January 2, 2025, in Jupiter, Florida.
The new bridge has two 11-foot vehicle lanes in each direction with 8-foot sidewalks and 7-foot bike lanes on both sides. The old bridge had only a 2-foot shoulder with no sidewalk.
The new bridge also is meant to be safer for boaters, with more room for vessels to pass beneath it. The old bridge had a vertical clearance of 25 feet for boat traffic. The new one will rise to 42 feet, allowing for 44% fewer bridge openings, which will improve the flow of traffic on U.S. 1, FDOT has said.
Crews kept a 90-foot delineated channel near the bridge open to boaters throughout the project. By the time of its completion, it will widen to 120 feet and shift back to its regular position.
