LaBelle Drawbridge delays frustrate Hendry County commuters and students

Maintenance on the LaBelle Drawbridge in Hendry County caused significant delays, impacting school buses and commuters. The bridge, which was closed for scheduled maintenance, led to students arriving home more than an hour late.

The bridge, originally set to reopen at 10 a.m., experienced multiple delays, with reopening times pushed to 1 p.m. and then 4 p.m. The bridge reopened close to sunset, causing frustration for those relying on it as their main route.

 LaBelle High School senior Payton Gunn, who uses the bridge as his primary route, described the situation as a headache but acknowledged it could have been worse.

"That cop was standing there the whole day," Gunn said. "I felt bad for him, to be honest."

Braulio Flores, another commuter, shared his experience navigating the delays.

"It took a very long time," Flores said. "It was very stressful because I drive a big wide truck. Took about like an hour 20."

Curtis Clay, transportation director for Hendry County Schools, confirmed that at least 10 school bus routes were delayed due to the closure. However, all students were eventually delivered home safely.

WINK News reached out to the Florida Department of Transportation for details on the maintenance work. As of now, the bridge is open, and commuters can resume their usual routes without concern.