ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A bridge that has been classified as functionally obsolete for years is about to be replaced in Orange County.

Construction has started in the project to replace the Buck Road bridge between Dean Road and Rouse Road.

What You Need To Know

  • Construction in Orange County has started to replace the Buck Road bridge

  • The Florida Department of Transportation has classified the bridge as functionally obsolete

  • Orange County officials say that while the bridge is safe to drive on, it needs to be replaced due to its age

  • They say the project will take 450 days to complete

“I remember when (Hurricane) Ian came, and this bridge was covered completely with water,” said Omar Vargas, who lives and works nearby.

An Orange County spokesman said, though, that damage from the hurricane isn’t the reason for the replacement.

According to the Florida Department of Transportation, the bridge — which was built in 1955 — is being replaced due to its age.

FDOT has deemed the 1955 bridge functionally obsolete.

“A bridge can be labeled functionally obsolete if it has sub-standard geometric features, such as narrow lanes or narrow shoulders," said Orange County Spokesman Darrell Moody. "The Buck Road bridge was deemed functionally obsolete because the bridge is narrow and is inadequate for the needs of traffic in the area."

The $9.5 million project will take 450 days to complete, and the bridge will be closed during some of that time.

Traffic will be detoured via Rouse Road, Lake Twylo Road and Dean Road north to University Boulevard.

“I think it's time to fix it, to make it better, bigger, and stronger, because a lot of people take Buck Road,” said Vargas.

Another bridge that has been deemed functionally obsolete in Orange County is also set to be rebuilt.

A contract is in place to replace the Bates Road bridge, and the next step for that project is a preconstruction meeting.