Turnpike bridge opening today?
 

I’m going on a limb and guessing the turnpike bridge is opening today.
My neighbor heard rumors is was opening yesterday, so, yesterday, i tried to do golf cart directions to the Fenney Grill on the Villages App - got a message saying it could not do the directions.
Did the directions today - and i got directions.
Try it....

That would be great. Yesterday I heard a rumor it was opening today. I figured it was just a rumor. Since the GPS now works it could be true.

OH!!!! How exciting!!!!!

Not yet, but there are crews out this morning doing final cleanup. Just did a flight over the north ramp and only a few landscaping guys doing the last minute pretty work, so very soon.

It's only true if your neighbor is a brother in-law to a hair dresser.

How did you know?

Source please!

I out a ? In the title - my source is yesterday the Villages GPS app couldn’t give me directions to a place over the bridge, this morning it did. I don’t think the app got updated accidentally.

If its not today, its within days

The Water Lily parking lot is closed by folks in trucks labeled “Villages Special Events”. There are flags up at the south entrance to the bridge and a group of golf carts are being staged in the parking lot. One of the carts has balloons and a sign “First Across Water Lily Bridge”. Make from all that what you will. 😎

Oh, well there goes the neighborhood. Gonna be the Fenny invasion.

I'm kidding, congrats! Finally.

Oh, and us northerners can invade the putt and play

Don, you got there too early this morning. Around 8:30am this morning barricades were being removed, Welcome flags were installed, and a welcoming committee blocked off Water Lily parking lot in advance of welcoming those with invitations to be amongst the few selected to be first to cross.
https://www.talkofthevillages.com/fo...-13-2021-a.jpg

Thank You Jesus-
I'm free...
I'm heading north without my wife, but with my dog.
Life is great.
Hello Villages north of SR 44, I'm coming...
:bigbow:

There goes the neighborhood. :welcome:

Can I get to a McDonalds now??

I drove over there a half hour ago and the concrete barriers were being removed. Lots of carts coming and going over the bridge. A Villages representative told me it is open and will stay open. I take that to mean that it won’t shut down for a day or two like Chitty Chatty did.

So now what will be the complaints now that it’s open.

Does it allow us to get to the new Costco faster?

New Putt & Play goes in next year at the First Responders Recreation Center. This will be another great addition in TV. The site is located behind the big Yellow Church on 42 near Calumet Grove.

Here's video of the opening and first people to cross the bridge

Connectivity - Water Lily Bridge is OPEN - YouTube

I was too early, a first, but I made it back and got some good video footage.

And I beat The Villages in getting the video up!

I asked when it would open and volunteered to hold my video until after theirs come out, but alas, I'm not on the list of favorite sons so nothing was shared with me. It became a challenge to see if I could beat them to the post. Connectivity - Water Lily Bridge is OPEN - YouTube say it all.

Connectivity - Water Lily Bridge is OPEN - YouTube

A big shout out to TOTV for letting you in the loop of what was happening this morning.

Believe me, there will be complaints! This is The Villages after all.

No more free golf cart rentals at the Championship courses for the southerners.

True
But............I have been surprised at the lack of Southern Golfers.
There have been a few, but I was expecting more.
As many Southerners have said, Country Club Golf is not a focus.

Not at the fees that are currently being charged. If I want to play 18 holes, I can go elsewhere and play.

You are lucky, you knew the fees before buying down South.

The WaterLily bridge opened yesterday but my Villages GPS is still not seeing the bridge is open. I live in Southern Oaks and had a great time driving the loop across all 3 bridges but I could only get directions from Chitty Chatty to Brownwood. Currently it shows 29 miles to Brownwood and Chitty Chatty is 28 miles both via 470 and back roads.

It was fun welcoming the Northerners to our peaceful land yesterday.

We've only been waiting for about a year and a half for this day....I've gotta hand it to the original settlers of the area, 5 years + living in isolation....And Isolated Paradise to be sure but still, thank god for 'em!

Now THAT's funny. :) :a040:

So then you won’t be coming down to the southern Oakes section. That’s good since people up north have been crying for months about how unfair it is that the southern area has more amenities. Those looking to use the Fenney putt and play should park in Fenney rec center and walk instead of blocking peoples driveways and taking up all the spaces at blue herion and sugarcane pools where residents can’t even get their mail.

Who is you? Anyone in particular?

Why should we park at the rec center when there are plenty of golf cart parking spots available right at the putt and play now that we can get there by cart ?

Good One:clap2:

If it’s on the internet itgotsta be true.

Can't wait to take a trip over it! :a040:

I know the Villages GPS will have directions soon.

I know the Villages G P S app will have directions soon.

Round trip from McClure
 

I made the round trip today, leaving from McClure, over the Water Lilly Bridge, then over the Brownwood Bridge. Up to Mulberry, then to Spanish Springs, over the Historic Bridge to Orange Blossom and back. Then down Morse to Rohan, over the Chitty Chatty Bridge and return home with a few stops along the way. 65 miles, about 5 hours 30 minutes casual driving.

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