In 1948, the State Road Department, now the Florida Department of Transportation, constructed the A. Max Brewer Bridge and South Relief Bridge (eastbound) as part of the SR 406 corridor development. The North Relief Bridge was constructed later, in 1964. Please refer to Question #11 on the FAQs page for more information about the history of the bridge and its namesake, Albert Max Brewer.

The main swing span bridge (A. Max Brewer Bridge) and South Relief Bridge are in poor condition and are considered functionally obsolete by today’s bridge and roadway design standards. The North Relief Bridge is in good condition and does not need to be replaced at this time.

In December 2003, Brevard County completed a Project Development and Environmental Study (PD&E) for the A. Max Brewer Bridge Replacement. The purpose of the PD&E study was the following:

• To identify the permanent and temporary impacts the project would have on the environment, adjacent park facilities, transportation facilities and navigation.
• To determine the basic specifications and criteria for the final design of the replacement bridge and associated facilities.
• To study various alternatives for replacement, including a no-build alternative.
• To establish project limits.

After extensive evaluation of numerous alternatives identified during the PD&E study, a preferred alternative was selected.

Preliminary design work, which began in August 2004, also has been completed. A final Design/Build Criteria Package was completed for FDOT in July 2008, and the contract was awarded to the team of Lane Construction and DRMP in April of 2009.