As the “Gateway to Fort Lauderdale,” the 17th Street Bridge provides a signature entrance to this visually stimulating city. The new bridge was constructed on the same alignment as the existing bridge in order to maintain the connecting roadway alignment and reduce right-of-way costs. The bridge features the first open bascule piers, which were a result of the community chosen “timeless/contemporary” theme. Nearly 1,700’ long, the precast concrete segmental approaches rise above the riverbanks and allow the newly available property to be used for park areas and parking.