New SR 44 Bridge Now Open

    Dignitaries from Lake and Volusia counties joined officials from the Florida Department of Transportation last Thursday, November 30, to celebrate the official opening a new, $47 million bridge over the St. Johns River. Replacing a draw bridge on SR 44 just west of DeLand, the new bridge is .8 miles long and features a 45-foot clearance over the river.
   The project has been underway since 2020, with the new expanse being built just south of the previous bridge. The project impacted travel through the area and brought a variety of temporary traffic flows to area businesses during construction. The project was completed ahead of schedule, with original FDOT estimates foreseeing the project not being completed until sometime in early 2024.
   As part of the project, the intersection of SR 44 and CR 42 has been reworked.
   In the coming weeks, the former bridge is expected to be removed.