Spring Ridge Estates HOA hires private engineer to repair bridge, Eustis officials say

Eustis Spring Ridge Estates private bridge under repair

Repairs for a bridge in Eustis' Spring Ridge Estate are underway as the city says a Florida Department of Transportation-certified engineer is evaluating the bridge and working on a repair plan. As it's a private bridge, Eustis says they're limited in what they can do, but they'll assist the homeowner's association if they need a loan in order to get the bridge fixed.

Repairs for a bridge in Eustis' Spring Ridge Estate are underway as the city says a Florida Department of Transportation-certified engineer is evaluating the bridge and working on a repair plan. 

Spring Ridge Estates Eustis bridge collapses on Oct. 30. The city says repairs are underway. 

What we know:

The Spring Ridge Estates Homeowners Association hired a private FDOT engineer to evaluate the current state of the bridge and form a plan for repairs. Eustis officials are also working with private contractors – who were hired by the HOA – to identify a temporary solution to restore safe access to residents, the city told FOX 35 Monday. 

As of Oct. 30, 50 residents – around 21 homes – were evacuated following the collapse of the bridge. As the bridge collapsed, it also affected the water main, which was shut off, officials said. This also impacts fire service to the neighborhood, Eustis Fire Chief Michael Swanson said Oct. 30. 

"We have contingency plans in place should the main sewer line fail, and equipment is already staged in the event the bridge deteriorates further," Swanson said Monday. "Our goal is to do everything possible to prevent a full evacuation of the community."

Water remains flowing under the bridge, which is contributing to the continual erosion of the culverts, the city of Eustis said. As of Monday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is not on site, the city said.
 

Eustis shares updates on Spring Ridge Estate bridge

A Florida Department of Transportation-certified engineer is evaluating the bridge at Spring Ridge Estates and is working on a repair plan, the city said Nov. 3. Fire Chief Michael Swanson shares updates in the infrastructure and city utilities affected by the bridge's collapse.

Bridge and water main compromised

A large culvert system was heavily damaged in an Oct. 26 storm. The structure was washed out. 

"We do know that the culverts are compromised at this time," Swanson said during a Nov. 3 press conference. The culverts are compromised on over half of the bridge – past the center line, he said. 

Pieces are still falling off the bridge – a chunk of rock fell and hit the water main on Friday, Swanson said – and it's not safe to send people under. The ground is soft around the structure, he said. 

Additionally, a collapsed sidewalk is on top of the water main, Swanson said. 

Eustis Fire Chief Michael Swanson gives updates on the repairs to a bridge at Spring Ridge Estates.

The backstory:

Fifty Eustis residents were evacuated Oct. 30 after a bridge at Spring Ridge Estates collapsed and now continues to erode, officials said. 

The fire department said it first noticed issues with the bridge on Oct. 27 and that the issues were getting progressively worse. 

By Thursday, work crews said the bridge issues were significant, Fire Chief Michael Swanson said.

Around 7 p.m., Eustis officials discovered the bridge had collapsed. On Friday morning, part of the bridge fell again, Swanson said. 

"What we're concerned about at this point is the erosion is continuing to happen," he said. "If it continues and progresses the way we think it's going to, it's going to work its way to the master sewer line." 

This means the city could lose the lift station, meaning the neighborhood will lose water and sewer. The entire neighborhood would be evacuated if this happens, Swanson said. 

21 homes evacuated after Eustis bridge collapse

Residents are frustrated after a bridge collapsed, cutting off access to their homes and water. Repairs are underway, officials said, but the bridge is continuing to erode and fall apart. Officials aren't sure if the bridge will need to be fully redone.

Repairs underway

What's next:

The city is currently working to divert water to protect utilities, including water and sewer lines under the bridge. Most affected homeowners have homeowners insurance and can get assistance to live somewhere else during the evacuation period, Swanson said. The neighborhood will remain evacuated until the city can provide water back to the homes and find a safe way for trucks and vehicles to travel to the area, he said. 

The city is also working on maintaining the current utilities under the bridge. If something does happen, the sewer line can be bypassed and be running within eight hours. 

"We're limited to what we can do because it's a private bridge with city utilities underneath it," he said. "… I would hope that when they get a plan in place, they can work on it pretty quick." 

Swanson said the city will assist the homeowner's association if they need a loan in order to get the bridge fixed. 

What we don't know:

The bridge repair time is not known at this time. The total cost for repairs is also not known.