In an effort to coordinate drawbridge operations with adjacent bridges while the U.S. Coast Guard enforces a security zone around President-elect Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Club, the agency has temporarily modified the operating schedule for the three bridges that connect West Palm Beach to Palm Beach.
The Coast Guard announced the step Nov. 27. The agency has been working with town officials to alleviate traffic congestion from a U.S. Secret Service-ordered road closure near Trump’s estate. Those efforts have included reducing the number of openings at the Flagler Memorial, Royal Park and Southern Boulevard bridges.
Limiting the number of bridge openings during peak hours would improve traffic flow, especially on the Royal Park Bridge, which has absorbed much of the traffic rerouted from the Southern Boulevard Bridge, town officials told the Daily News in August.
Here is the updated schedule that took effect Sunday, Dec. 1:
Flagler Memorial Bridge schedule
The “north” bridge will open on the quarter hour and three-quarter hour except for peak rush-hour travel times.
During those times, the bridges will open Monday through Friday, with the exception of federal holidays, on the quarter hour from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
When the security zone is enforced, the bridge will open Monday through Friday (except federal holidays) as follows:
∎ On the quarter hour, from 7:30 to 9 a.m.
∎ On the quarter hour and three-quarter hour, from 9 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.
∎ On the quarter hour, from 2:15 p.m. to 6 p.m.
∎ On the quarter hour and three-quarter hour, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 a.m.
On Saturday, Sunday and federal holidays, the bridge will open on the quarter hour and three-quarter hour.
Royal Park Bridge schedule
The “middle” bridge will open on the hour and half-hour except for peak rush-hour travel times.
During those times, the bridges will open Monday through Friday, with the exception of federal holidays, on the half-hour from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
When the security zone is enforced, the bridge will open Monday through Friday (except federal holidays) as follows:
∎ On the half-hour, from 7:30 to 9 a.m.
∎ On the hour and half-hour, from 9 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.
∎ On the half-hour, from 2:15 p.m. to 6 p.m.
∎ On the hour and half-hour, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 a.m.
On Saturday, Sunday, and federal holidays, the bridge will open on the hour and half-hour.
Southern Boulevard Bridge schedule
The “south” bridge will open on the quarter hour and three-quarter hour except for peak rush-hour travel times.
During those times, the bridges will open Monday through Friday, with the exception of federal holidays, on the quarter hour from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
When the security zone is enforced, the bridge may be closed without advance notice to permit uninterrupted transit of dignitaries across the bridge. At all other times, the bridge will open on the quarter and three-quarter hour, or as directed by the on-scene designated representative.
The temporary operating schedule will remain in place through March 31, 2025.
The Coast Guard is seeking public input regarding the bridge schedule. The comment period ends Friday. Comments identified by docket number USCG-2023-0601 can be submitted using the Federal Decision Making Portal at https://www.regulations.gov.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Coast Guard Trump security updates West Palm Beach bridge schedules