New bridge project limits parking at Sebastian Inlet

By Spring 2032, you'll be able to drive over a brand new $101.9 million 12-foot-higher bridge over Sebastian Inlet.

But until then, good luck parking at Sebastian Inlet State Park. Hundreds of parking spots will be off limits at one of Florida's most popular parks for more than five years as workers replace the 62-year-old bridge.

"During this time, visitors may experience increased traffic congestion, construction-related noise in the area and possible changes to the campground entrance," the park's website says. "Impacts may lead to cancelation of camping reservations. Please plan accordingly and allow extra time for travel."

North parking lot partially closes

According to FDOT:

• Starting June 1, workers partially closed the south section of the Sebastian Inlet State Park North Parking Lot. The partial closure is around-the-clock, through Spring 2032, for bridge construction activities.
• The state park and remaining portions of the North Parking Lot will remain open for public use. Limited parking will be available west of the bridge, south of the park entrance. One row of public parking will remain open east of the bridge along with the parking area northeast of the park entrance.
• The observation deck under the north side of the bridge will remain closed. Signage will be in place to help motorists and pedestrians.

South lot partially closes

According to FDOT:

• Sections of the South Parking Lot, located beneath and to the east and west of the bridge, also were partially closed June 4, 2026, through Spring 2032, for bridge construction activities.
• Access to the south jetty from the South Parking Lot is closed. The park and remaining portions of the South Parking Lot remain open for public use.
• Limited parking is available west of the bridge inside the park. The observation deck under the south side of the bridge remains closed. Access to the boat ramp will be maintained at all times. Signage is in place to assist motorists and pedestrians.

What will the new bridge include?

According to FDOT, the bridge will have:

• Vertical clearance of 51 feet (existing is 39 feet); two 12-foot wide travel lanes; two 8-foot wide shoulders; and two 12-foot wide pedestrian and bike paths.
• Two observation decks: one under the bridge from the south shore, the other under the bridge from the north shore.
• New crosswalks and entrance lanes on S.R. A1A to improve traffic and safety at the state park's entrances.
• Milling and resurfacing the state park's parking lots to enhance long-term resiliency.

What about traffic impacts?

There will be temporary single-lane closures, but to prevent a full shutdown of traffic over the inlet, the new bridge will be built to the east of the current span, creating a parallel bridge next to it. After the new bridge is done, the old one will be demolished and removed.

Information about lane closures and detours will be provided in the weekly traffic report distributed by FDOT and can be viewed using the following link: FDOT Treasure Coast Construction (d4fdot.com).

Single-lane closures are allowed daily, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday. During these times, flaggers will manage roadway traffic and access to the park's north parking lot.

Marine traffic will be maintained, with advanced notice provided for temporary restrictions.

Where can I learn more?

FDOT's project website: https://d4fdot.com/projects/t4729/

Waymer covers local environment and government. Contact him at (321) 261-5903 or jwaymer@floridatoday.com. Follow him on X at @JWayEnviro.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: New bridge project limits parking at Sebastian Inlet

Reporting by Jim Waymer, Florida Today / Florida Today

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This story was originally published June 22, 2026 at 5:04 AM.