Incidents

Emergency repairs to I-95, SR-528 overpass seeing unexpected delays in Brevard County

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — Bridge repairs on I-95 at the 528 didn't go as planned overnight.

Pieces of the bridge could be seen on the ground, hours after the closure was scheduled to wrap up.

A spokesperson for the state said getting this work done took longer than anticipated.

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Workers were still on the interstate and blocking the road until 8 a.m., two hours later than planned.

Those delays were part of Adam Petro's ride to work, which wasn't an easy one.

“When I got to the exit, everyone was trying to take the detours and it backed everything up,” Petro said.

The repairs are supposed to fix a bridge hit by a semitrailer hauling construction equipment, which has been sitting covered with a cloth to prevent any more pieces of the bridge from falling below.

Tuesday night, workers tore down other sections off the bridge, piece by piece. A spokesperson said taking down pieces of the old bridge took longer than anticipated.

So instead of opening up the road before all the concrete was taken down, workers kept the road closed longer than scheduled so nothing would be left hanging over the interstate and so workers could keep to the rest of the schedule the following nights.

Drivers already knew the construction was going to be an issue when WFTV warned them about it last week.

“I know all the back roads and everything, so I'll just stay away from it,” said truck driver Dave Hardy.

Other drivers said they're glad they'll miss the next closure of I-95 northbound Wednesday night.

The interstate under the bridge is scheduled to be opened by 5 a.m. Thursday, after it closes at 10 p.m. Wednesday.

The state said since this is emergency work and not a typical construction project, the contractor won't be fined.

Fixing the damaged bridge will cost $750,000 and will require some full lane closures, ramp closures, and a partial closure of I-95 north.

Crews will be installing a new 120-foot bridge beam.

The construction will impact traffic along both I-95 and State Road 528 for the next three weeks. FDOT said the construction will require the total closure of I-95’s northbound lanes.

Driver Brian Berry said he's not too happy about the changes because he relies on the stretch of road to get to work.

"I think they will do the right thing as far as the safety goes, but I understand there is an inconvenience, but I would rather have it not be my inconvenience," Berry said. "I have the north Florida territory, so I'm always leaving and going probably right through where all of this construction is. So, this should be awesome to adding some hours to my day."

The ramp closures will affect SR-528 east to I-95 north and I-95 south to SR-528 east. Drivers can take SR-524 to get around that area and onto I-95.

"As long as everyone takes it easy and watches what they are doing, I think we will be alright," driver Bryan Mozitis said.

State officials said they are searching for the person who damaged the beam.

See below for full details and maps of upcoming closures: