- November 23, 2024
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Flagler County is signing off on what could become one of its most visible landmarks: an A-frame pedestrian bridge over State Road 100 near Colbert Lane that will one day help to connect Lehigh Trail, Graham Swamp and the trails at Bulow Ruins State Park in southern Flagler County.
Five contractors submitted bids for the Florida Department of Transportation-funded project to construct a path and the bridge, and Flagler County has selected Masci General Contractors' bid of $9.48 million for the work — the lowest bid.
FDOT's grant will cover the construction contract, but the county will need to use reserve Local Option Gas Tax money to cover a required $200,000 contingency.
The paved, 12-foot-wide shared use path would cross the Graham Swamp Conservation area for 1.6 miles from just south of SR 100 to the Lehigh Trail, and include an enclosed bridge over 100, according to a county staff document.
The bridge will be more than 18 feet over the street level, which is well above the requirement of 16.5 feet of clearance.
An 8-foot-wide sidewalk would be added on the south side of 100 from Old Kings Road west to the shared use path and pedestrian bridge.
“I want to emphasize that ecotourism and trails is a growing area,” County Commissioner Andy Dance said. “Bulow Creek State Park trail, to the south, is on the list of the best trails in Florida, on Visit Florida. This is a really critical connection.”
Once Flagler’s trails are connected to Bulow, they then connect to the Loop and the Fairchild Oak in Volusia County as well.
“This is an opportunity to really put a stamp on our trail system,” Dance continued.
Commissioner Dave Sullivan agreed.
“It’s going to be a tremendous asset — one of the landmarks in the county,” he said. “It’s going to become a real point that people will remember Flagler County for.”
