ORLANDO, Fla. – State Road 50 remained closed at I-4 for most of the day Tuesday as Florida Department of Transportation officials conduct more inspections after cracks were found over the weekend.
Colonial Drive was closed from Orange Avenue to Hughey Avenue on Sunday. Officials said at about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday that they would begin reopening that portion of Colonial Drive, adding that the process could take about an hour. By 7:15 p.m., the road was open.
FDOT communications manager Steve Olson said the closure was in response to several cracks found by engineers on a pier underneath a new section of the bridge a few weeks ago, when the bridge was set to open.
He said officials are working to determine what created the cracks.
"The additional supporting structure is in place," Olson said. "It is undergoing final inspection, modification and final approval steps. The engineering team will utilize the remainder of Tuesday to complete its work. State Road 50 will remain closed while this occurs."
The closure is related to I-4 Ultimate, a nearly seven-year project that's overhauling a 21-mile stretch of I-4 through Central Florida. Typically, though, closures are overnight, but Colonial Drive will remain closed all day Monday and into Tuesday morning.
Olson said no other issues were found during the addition of the support placed underneath the bridge.
Drivers are being detoured through downtown via Robinson and Livingston streets.
