A new movable bridge over the Loxahatchee River is improving transportation connections between Jupiter and Tequesta, Florida, with greater clearance for marine traffic and dedicated facilities for pedestrians and cyclists. STV served as the prime construction engineering and inspection consultant for the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), supporting construction oversight, systems testing and final project delivery.
The replacement of the U.S. 1 crossing addressed limitations in the aging bridge, including restricted navigational clearance, frequent openings that interrupted road traffic and the absence of dedicated bicycle and pedestrian facilities. The new structure is designed to support growing transportation needs while maintaining connections across the coastal corridor.
The 915-foot replacement bridge includes a 267-foot twin double-leaf, hydraulically operated bascule span. The crossing provides four travel lanes, dedicated bicycle facilities and sidewalks, while increasing horizontal marine clearance from 90 feet to 125 feet and providing up to 42 feet of vertical clearance at the center of the channel.
To reduce construction time and disruption, FDOT adopted a hybrid staging approach combining early construction away from the existing alignment, a temporary full bridge closure and a later traffic shift onto completed sections of the new structure. The approach shortened the estimated schedule by 18 months compared with a fully phased construction sequence.
Traffic management was another major consideration because the bridge serves as a key regional connection. FDOT deployed a smart work zone integrated with the Palm Beach County Traffic Management Center. Dynamic message signs, Bluetooth travel-time monitoring, closed-circuit television cameras and adaptive signal operations helped officials monitor and manage traffic during construction.
STV oversaw bridge and roadway construction, utility relocations, drainage, intelligent transportation systems and mechanically stabilized earth walls. Its work also included inspection support for electrical distribution, lighting, controls, HVAC, fire protection and bridge mechanical systems.
The movable span combines hydraulic machinery, span locks, electrical controls and a multilevel control house. Safety features include LiDAR motion detection and thermal imaging cameras designed to help prevent bridge operation when movement is detected on the structure and improve visibility in low-light conditions and adverse weather.
STV supported hydraulic functional testing, generator reviews, factory acceptance testing and field troubleshooting to verify system performance before final delivery. Coordination across structural, mechanical, hydraulic and electrical disciplines was essential to the bridge's operation.
Construction also required measures to protect nearby environmental and historic resources, including seagrass habitat, residential areas and the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Museum. Foundation work involved approximately 267 prestressed piles, along with vibration monitoring, turbidity controls and specialized installation methods. Drilled shafts were selected near the lighthouse to reduce vibration compared with conventional alternatives, while post-grouting techniques improved foundation capacity and shortened foundation elements.
Utility work added further complexity, including underwater relocations involving Florida Power & Light and Florida Gas Transmission.
The increased navigational clearance is expected to reduce bridge openings by approximately 44%, limiting interruptions for motorists and vessels. The new structure also introduces barrier-separated 8-foot sidewalks, buffered bicycle lanes, pedestrian overlooks, decorative lighting and connections to the Riverwalk.
The project received several industry honors in 2026, including the American Council of Engineering Companies of Florida and FDOT Outstanding Bridge Project Award, the American Society of Civil Engineers Palm Beach Branch Project of the Year Award, the Florida Transportation Business Association's Best in Construction Award in the Major Bridges category, and Engineering News-Record Southeast's Best Project award for highways and bridges.
The Jupiter bridge replacement illustrates the coordination required to deliver movable-bridge infrastructure in a constrained coastal environment. Roadway operations, marine navigation, environmental protection, utility relocations and complex mechanical systems all had to be managed as interconnected parts of the project.
For transportation agencies and construction teams undertaking similar work, integrated construction oversight, specialized systems testing and carefully planned staging can help reduce disruption while supporting safe and reliable infrastructure. The project also demonstrates how bridge replacements can improve access for multiple transportation modes while addressing the operational needs of both land and water traffic.
Source: STV Inc.
