The City plans to replace Harbor Beach’s three bridges.
The Estelle, Lucille and Mercedes River bridges on West Lake Drive — a $13.8 million project, with construction planned for fall 2027 through summer 2030. Residents support safe bridges. We’re working to make sure they’re the right bridges for our neighborhood.
A community initiative of the Harbor Beach Association
What’s happening
Three low bridges, one big decision
The City of Fort Lauderdale, with Jacobs Engineering as its design consultant, plans to replace all three West Lake Drive bridges. The City cites inspection classifications calling two bridges “structurally deficient” and one “functionally obsolete.”
Residents aren’t asking to overrule the engineers. They are asking for an independent evaluation of whether rehabilitation could safely extend the bridges’ lives — and, if replacement is necessary, for designs that fit a 20 mph, dead-end residential street.
- Number of bridges
- 3 BridgesEstelle, Lucille and Mercedes
- Construction estimate
- $13.8 MillionCurrent City estimate for construction of the three-bridge West Lake Drive project
- Design status
- 60% DesignStatus reported by the City in 2026
- Construction period
- 2027–2030Current anticipated construction period
Figures as stated in the City of Fort Lauderdale's March 2026 public-meeting notice. View the City's notice (PDF)
See the difference
What’s here — and what replacement can look like
Today
The Mercedes River bridge (No. 865774): a low, open crossing in scale with the street and the water around it.
What residents want to avoid
A recently completed bridge replacement in the area (No. 865791): the taller profile, highway-style barriers and exposed utility runs residents don’t want on West Lake Drive.
Residents are asking the City to look carefully at six things:
- 01Rehabilitation Before Replacement
- 02Height and Roadway Approaches
- 03Sidewalks
- 04Appearance and Neighborhood Character
- 05Driveways, Drainage and Adjacent Properties
- 06Cost, Funding and Transparency
Where the neighborhood stands
Harbor Beach supports safe and reliable infrastructure. Residents are asking for an independent evaluation of whether rehabilitation can safely extend the useful life of the existing bridges and, if replacement is necessary, for new bridges that are appropriately designed for the unique low-speed residential character of Harbor Beach.
Do this now
Sign up for Bridge Updates
This is the single most useful thing a resident can do: meeting notices, project news and calls to action reach you directly. Harbor Beach residents only — every sign-up is verified.
Then, if you can
Support the Bridge Action Fund
HBA’s fund pays for the independent engineering, legal counsel and professional work this effort needs. Contributions are earmarked for the bridge project.
Support the FundHave photos or information?
Old photographs, documents or firsthand knowledge about the bridges help HBA build the record.
Send It to HBA