Carina piers and bascule bridges: a new concrete landmark is more than just beautiful.(new bridge in Fort Lauderdale, Florida)

With its dedication on April 13, 2002, the new 17th Street Causeway Bridge in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., alleviated congestion for both vehicular and boat traffic--and the "Venice of the South" gained a signature landmark.

This bridge also helped to accomplish several of the Florida Department of Transportation's goals. The old bridge, having become expensive to maintain, was functionally obsolete with its vertical clearance of only 22 feet. Every half hour it opened for 12 to 15 minutes to allow luxury boat traffic on the Intra-coastal Waterway to pass. Frequent bridge…