Important Traffic Advisory regarding Snake Creek Bridge

FDOT to begin closing U.S. 1 at the Snake Creek Bridge from 11:45 p.m. to 4 a.m., Sundays through Thursdays, for three weeks from Sept. 8 through Sept. 30.

The Florida Department of Transportation will begin the closures to sandblast and repaint the Snake Creek Bridge over Snake Creek at Mile Marker 86.

Traffic will be stopped at the beginning of the bridge — which connects Plantation Key with Windley Key — in both directions.

Important: This is a full road closure. There will be NO alternating traffic and NO lane shifts.

Only emergency traffic — for which there will also be delays — will be allowed on the bridge.

“I have expressed my disappointment and concerns with FDOT over this project and the massive inconvenience this will be to motorists on U.S. 1 as well as workers, delivery truck drivers and all the people who work or drive on U.S. 1 at night,” said Sheriff Rick Ramsay. “FDOT is working with law enforcement to ensure emergency responders will have access to the bridge. I strongly urge everyone to help us spread the message and get the word out to as many people as possible in the hopes most people will be able to plan accordingly while this project is underway.”

The work is set to begin at 11:45 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 8. Schedules may change due to bad weather or unexpected conditions.

FDOT will be placing portable toilets at both ends of the bridge.

The Sheriff’s Office strongly urges all motorists to visit www.fdotmonroe.com before making any traveling plans.

Drivers are encouraged to call 511 before they travel or log on to www.fl511.com to get real-time traffic and lane closure information.

• The public is urged NOT to call Sheriff’s Office 911 Communications Specialists about the project — we need to keep those phone lines open for emergencies! — but to call FDOT at 786-510-3921 or at www.fdotmonroe.com and click on staff directory.

Anyone reading this is urged to share the information with friends, neighbors, coworkers as well as on social media. Please help us spread the word far and wide!

Snake Creek Bridge was completed in 1981 when a number of new bridges were being built to modernize U.S. 1. The Snake Creek Bridge is the only drawbridge operating in the Florida Keys.