Why the Delay? Oviedo’s Longtime Broken Bridge Set for Repair

OVIEDO, Fla. – The last of Oviedo’s lingering leftovers from Hurricane Ian is moving forward – finally.

If you’ve been wondering why one lane of a bridge on a busy cut-through street still hasn’t been repaired three years later, you’re not alone.

In 2022, during Hurricane Ian, Sweetwater Creek transformed into a powerful river, strong enough to displace the culverts beneath the E. Magnolia Street bridge, resulting in a dip in the road.

In a Jan. 18 Facebook post, Oviedo City Administration said geotechnical crews discovered a “cavity” under the bridge.

“A set of pipes channels the creek under the road, and a geotechnical expert assessed and identified the void,” the post states. “There are several engineering challenges that need addressing…”

In a presentation to residents in February, Oviedo City engineers detailed a fix:

• New 6’x10′ Box Culvert will be installed underneath roadway

• Reconstruction of the existing roadway (Approx. 200′)

• Additional roadway improvements included (i.e. sidewalk, drainage, etc.)

• City of Oviedo Water Main and additional utilities relocated

The sidewalk will run over the top of the box culvert but alongside the bridge, similar to how it is currently.

According to the presentation, “East Magnolia Street has undergone engineering and design plans, which are now complete.”

City of Oviedo Communications Manager Lisa McDonald said the hold-up now is securing easements from neighbors.

“We are collaborating with two homeowners to obtain two separate easements necessary for the project, and once secured, we can initiate the bidding process within the next month or two,” McDonald explained.

The East Magnolia Street bridge connects S.R. 434 (Central Avenue) and Division Street.

During construction vehicle and pedestrian traffic will be detoured around the bridge onto East Franklin Street.

“Access to all driveways will be maintained during construction,” according to the city’s presentation.