DELRAY BEACH, Fla. — After nearly two months, the drawbridge on George Bush Boulevard in Delray Beach has reopened.
Palm Beach County officials said intermittent bridge closures were to be expected as continued monitoring is planned.
Prior to the announcement, residents expressed frustration about the bridge being closed and the lack of updates.
"It's a huge inconvenience and we are getting no information," Betsy Cooke said.
For Cooke, a three-minute ride over the bridge to work now takes her up 20 minutes.
"I often come over this bridge seven times a day, maybe more," she said. "Trying to get in and out of my office is ludicrous."
With this bridge being closed, drivers either have to go south to the bridge on Atlantic Avenue or north to the bridge on Woolbright Road.
"Fifty percent of the reason we chose to move in this area was so we would have access to the bridge and access to the ocean," Ashley O'Brien said.
O'Brien and her family moved to this area of Delray Beach four weeks ago, looking to take over the bridge and to the beach.
"I was hoping a very idyllic, early morning walk with the kids to the beach to allow them to play in nature and that's just not coming to fruition," she said. "So, yeah, I'm frustrated."
Palm Beach County said the bridge malfunctioned during an opening after the main shaft sheered into pieces.
Since then, all replacement components have been fabricated and installed. Three weeks of extensive testing and an inspection period followed while the mechanics of the bridge were continuously adjusted and fine-tuned, according to the county.
The county announced that the bridge has now been deemed safe and reopened about 5 p.m. Friday.
