ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A historic bridge in the Roser Park neighborhood of St. Pete is being replaced. 

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street is the primary route from the south side of St. Pete into downtown. 

At 7th Avenue South, the road crosses Brooker Creek. Resident Dan Lady said it looks like the work is done but the right lane remains closed. That leaves one through lane and a left turn only lane for southbound traffic. 

"Traffic passes in the left turn lane and swerves in front of traffic in the straight lane," Lady described. 

Brejesh Prayman, Director of Engineering and Capital Improvements, said there are two parts to the project. 

"The work that's currently being done out there right now, if you venture that way you'll actually see cones and some traffic barriers.  That work is actually private utilities adjusting their utilities ahead of the scheduled bridge construction," he explained. 

The bridge was built in 1914 and is in need of replacement. But that can't begin until those private utilities, such as phone lines are temporarily relocated. 

"So what they've done is closed the hole up so it's safe, but it's not safe enough to drive on. They will have to open it back up to finish their work," Prayman said. 

As for the traffic cutting into the through lane at the last minute, St. Pete Police would need to monitor the area for lane violations. 

Once replaced, the new bridge over Brooker Creek is expected to have a life span of 100 years. 

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