JUPITER — The new $122 million U.S. 1 bridge over the Loxahatchee River in Jupiter now has a spot where pedestrians can walk underneath it.
A riverwalk connection and observation deck under the south side of the bridge opened on Nov. 14, a project spokesperson said. This walkway gives visitors access to Jupiter’s Riverwalk area, which runs along the Intracoastal near the Inlet Village, where the Charlie & Joe’s at Love Street restaurant complex is.
In a social media post, the Florida Department of Transportation called the walkway “an ideal spot to take in the breathtaking scenery and sea life” and said it gives access to parks and local businesses.
“No fishing” signs are posted along the walkway. Fishing off the bridge itself is also not allowed at any time, according to a project spokesperson.
What are crews working on next?
The previous bridge, which was built in 1958 and whose condition deteriorated over time, closed for construction on March 13, 2023, and was demolished.
The new bridge has two 11-foot vehicle lanes in each direction with 8-foot sidewalks and 7-foot bike lanes on both sides. The old bridge had only a 2-foot shoulder with no sidewalk.
While the new bridge is designed to be safer for pedestrians and bicyclists, it also is meant to be safer for boaters, with more room for vessels to pass beneath it.
Work on the bridge is now 94% completed, according to a Nov. 7 transportation department press release. Construction is expected to finish by early 2026. The bridge is in its final configuration with two lanes, one sidewalk and one bike lane open in each direction.
Crews are epoxy coating four levels inside the bridge piers, painting, paving, installing pedestrian rails and fences and checking the mechanical and electrical parts of the bridge. In late fall 2025, they will install a bridge fender system at the base of the bridge piers.
Maya Washburn covers northern Palm Beach County for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida-Network. Reach her at mwashburn@pbpost.com. Support local journalism: Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: There is a new pedestrian bridge under the U.S. 1 bridge in Jupiter
Reporting by Maya Washburn, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
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