Chitty Chatty Bridge Closure
 

The Chitty Chatty Bridge over SR-44 has been closed until further notice, according to a statement by the Sumter County Sheriff. Apparently, a vehicle struck the support structure of the bridge, and an inspection by FDOT is required before the bridge can reopen.

For those living in the areas south of SR-44, the nearest access to get across the highway is now the Brownwood bridge. That is quite a detour. This will, without a doubt, cause a lot of complaining!

Gee, I didn’t read the editorial comment about “complaining “ in the sheriff’s notice……

If it's anything like the DOT paving project on 44 could it take months?
Wonder who will be the first to cross 44 at the light

Was wondering exactly the same thing. But my question wasn't whom, but how soon.

Wondering if they are waiving cancellation points for all the folks who can’t make their t times north of 44. Probably a lot of open t times this morning at Belle Glade.

Wish we had a picture of the impact location. Hard to imagine how a car could actually get to a place to hit the bridge. Harder still to imagine what kind of damage it could realistically cause to the structure.

No matter, damage or not….inspection is mandatory

no matter, mandatory or not... wish we had a picture

it is open

Yes, Jim inspected it this morning...............he stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

Maybe it was a foundation hit from route 44????

I was at Lake Deaton Plaza at noon today and could see numerous golf carts crossing the bridge. There is no visible evidence of any collision with the bridge supports or the turf leading up to them.

News reports says the a support was hit.
Why are there no barriers to protect them? Guard rail? Jersey barrier?

We are concerned about the integrity of the bridge, and rightly so, but not a word about the people involved in the incident. Wonder if they were injured.

Bridge is open
 

I and others went over it yesterday around 2:00. No problems

like a bridge over troubled waters

Sub-par construction no doubt!

Bridge open
 

The bridge was back open by late morning yesterday. However around 6 pm last night the traffic on 44 headed WB was pushed over to 1 lane and there was a ladder boom type truck lifted up and they were inspecting or doing something to the main cross member. Not sure exactly what but it seems the bridge is pretty high to get hit by something going underneath.

The bridge actually opened at about 9:45am on Wednesday. I was able to drive across, and parked at Rohan, observing a worker checking out the underside of the bridge. Above the westbound lanes, there was a section where the structural steel was bent, and two lights were hanging loose. It looked like possibly a utility-type truck with an extendable bucket hit the steel framework. I would imagine there was far greater damage to whatever hit the bridge, than to the bridge itself. Kudos for getting the inspection done quickly, and avoiding further complications.

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Those sidewalk installers have large heavy equipment maneuvering around the base of the bridges.

44
 

In all my years, I have never seen a paving project take months to complete and doing it in a way that makes 44 difficult to cross with double paved lanes to drive over to one not paved at all. Car repairs will skyrocket.

Months? Look no further than 27/441 by Sams Club and the years it is taking to complete and there is no end in sight.

Sub-Par construction on a bridge! Shirley, you jest. I don’t think so at all. Just someone who had an ACCIDENT, not an on Purpose. It would take more than a car hitting a support column to do any substantial damage, just trust me, I know. Travel the bridge with zero concern for your safety due to this incident, I will.

I started to type on that post too, I jus bit my fingers.

:icon_wink:

Open now
 

Last night at about 5 on the 12th carts were crossing.

HaHaHa

According to the Sun it was a dump truck. How do they raise into the up position without the driver knowing ?

Maybe never lowered..............it happens.

Yes, happened Tuesday night, driver was transported toHCA Florida Ocala Hospital with traumatic injuries. According to the DS.

Most recent Update:
Just heard on WVGL that the bridge will be closed until further notice. This was at 10:38am 4/13/2023.

Could be years……
 

Or if it’s anything like the highway rebuild on 441/27 in Spanish Springs it could be years! I’ve never seen anything like that project! Like 4 or more years!

It is open now

Almost 2 years were lost with virtually no work being done during the pandemic which didn't help. The pandemic was supposed to help SPEED construction in the state due to reducded traffic according to the governator at the peak of the pandemic. Same thing was said about the I-4 project but it didn't probably because they couldn't get enough help.

The project is only 5 months off schedule.
It has always been a predicted 3-year project.
Tho I don't know why they don't work through the night.
238395-5 U.S. 441 Widening from Lake Ella Road to Avenida Central

My thoughts exactly.

Crossed the bridge yesterday afternoon around 6 PM.

This thread is still open and the bridge has been open for over a week?