LaBelle Draw Bridge reopens following multiple delays

Traffic troubles intensified in Hendry County as the LaBelle Draw Bridge on State Road 29 remained closed for emergency maintenance repairs. Initially expected to reopen at 7 a.m., then 10:30 a.m., and then 1 p.m., then 4.p.m. on Thursday, the bridge opened at 5 p.m.

Residents were feeling the impact of the closure.

"It's going to be, it's already a traffic nightmare," said Donna Barron, a local. "I'd already seen it, where they're routing, going back. It's a nightmare."

FDOT stated in its latest traffic advisory that on-site construction crews identified an area of concern on a plate during maintenance work on Wednesday, leading to extended repairs and needing for all traffic to stop to perform a full inspection.

As a result, drivers are being rerouted onto State Road 80, which is already congested, as this bridge is widely used.

"All the time, work, everything," said Rendy Miller, a driver affected by the closure. "It's used a lot, a lot, because we have family on the other side," Barron said.

Miller acknowledged the inconvenience but remained unfazed as he said he's very familiar with the area.

"Sucks, but I know how to get around it, so that's no big deal," said Miller.

The Hendry County School District is also experiencing significant disruptions. Curtis Clay, the district's director of transportation and safety, described the situation as difficult.

"It's going to cause huge delays with picking up and transporting the students from the school systems only because they're coming back and forth, and we're having to go all the way to Alva to go around on another bridge," Clay said. "So it's going to be a struggle."

Hendry County sheriff deputies are stationed at the intersection of State Road 80 and Bridge Street to assist drivers with the detours to U.S. 27 and State Road 78.

FDOT is asked for patience from drivers while crews addressed the issues.