The New River Crossing (Fort Denaud Bridge) PD&E Study is being conducted by Hendry County. The study will document information necessary for the County to reach a decision on the type, design, and location of a new corridor between SR 80 and CR 78 including a bridge over the Okeechobee Waterway (Caloosahatchee River).

Hendry County is projected to continue to grow and the two existing bridges across the Okeechobee Waterway within the county, the historic Fort Denaud Swing Bridge and the SR 29 Bridge in LaBelle, will not accommodate the anticipated future traffic demands. The predicted year 2030 traffic volumes indicated that a capacity increase of the existing bridge was necessary. Both the Fort Denaud Bridge and the SR 29 Bridge are old, do not meet current design standards, and are functionally obsolete. Expansion of either structure is not considered to be reasonable or feasible. Therefore, a new crossing of the Okeechobee Waterway is deemed necessary.