State Road 732
SR 732 crosses the Intracoastal Waterway along Indian River Lagoon over the Frank A. Wacha Bridge east of Jensen Beach, Florida. - 10/16/2021
Split into two sections, State Road 732 joins the community of Jensen Beach with Hutchinson Island in Martin County. Measuring 2.21 miles, the western segment of SR 732 along Jensen Beach Boulevard joins U.S. 1 with CR 723 (Savannah Road). Jensen Beach Boulevard east 0.73 miles to CR 707 is off the state highway system and acknowledged as CR 707A on CR 723 (Savannah Road) northbound. The eastern branch of SR 732 spans the Indian River across Jensen Beach Causeway and the Frank A. Wacha Bridge. The 1.95 mile long route connects CR 707 (Indian River Drive) with SR A1A (Ocean Boulevard) at Jensen Beach Park. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) recorded 13,200 vehicles per day (vpd) on Jensen Beach Boulevard and 14,900 vpd across Jensen Beach Causeway in 2018.
The Frank A. Wacha Bridge provides 65 feet of navigational clearance above the Intracoastal Waterway.1 Construction on the high rise bridge began in May 2002.2 It opened to traffic in October 2004 following the closure of the old draw bridge due to Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne.3 A grand opening celebration for the bridge took place following a 5K run, parade and ribbon cutting ceremony on March 5, 2005.1
The span was constructed as part of a $76.6 million project rebuilding Jensen Beach Causeway. Work included building new sea walls, a boat ramp with three docks, a fishing pier under the main span, picnic pavilions, scenic overlooks and the addition of decorative street lights.1 Overall construction along the causeway wrapped up December 2005, with $3 million in repairs due to hurricane damage extending to February 2006.3 Also named the Frank A. Wacha Bridge, the previous crossing along SR 732 was a draw bridge opened at a ribbon cutting ceremony on October 23, 1965.2
Frank Albert Wacha (1923-99) was a Martin County Commissioner who advanced efforts to replace the 1920s wooden bridge along Jensen Causeway, and lift tolls once charged to cross it.1 Dedicated in November 1926,4 the original bridge was the lone crossing between the Martin County mainland and Hutchinson Island. 25 cent tolls were charged to cross the swing bridge.2 Construction on a new draw bridge commenced in the 1950s, starting with dredging operations to create the islands along the causeway system.4 Thanks to the idea to refinance county wide bridge construction by Wacha, the crossing and others were toll tree.2
East
Pineapple Avenue links Jensen Beach Boulevard east of SR 732 at Ocean Breeze with SR 732 along Jensen Beach Causeway at a roundabout with CR 707 (Indian River Drive).
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The eastern segment of SR 732 stretches 1.95 miles east across Indian River Lagoon from the roundabout with CR 707 (Indian River Drive).
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The lone reassurance marker for SR 732 east along Jensen Beach Causeway precedes the first relief bridge over the Indian River.
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Parking areas are located on both man-made islands for Jensen Beach Causeway Park.
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The West Relief Bridge along Jensen Beach Causeway was built in 2004.
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Boat ramps line both sides of Jensen Beach Causeway Park.
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SR 732 ascends to 65.6 feet above the Intracoastal Waterway on Frank A. Wacha Bridge.5
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The main span of the Frank A. Wacha Bridge is 2,523 feet in length.5
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SR 732 east lowers to the second parking area along Jensen Beach Causeway.
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Built in 2005, the Indian River East Relief Bridge is 662 feet in length.6
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SR 732 advances east onto Hutchinson Island by the Indian River Point development.
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SR 732 concludes east of the Jensen Beach Club development at a roundabout with SR A1A (Ocean Boulevard) across from Jensen Beach Park.
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SR A1A (Ocean Boulevard) heads south along Hutchinson Island to Stuart Beach and the Ernest Lyons Bridge to Sewell's Point and north to Fort Pierce.
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West
SR 732 (Causeway Boulevard) begins westbound from a roundabout with SR A1A.
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The entrance to Jensen Beach Club follows this shield assembly just west of SR A1A.
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SR 732 crosses Indian River Lagoon over Jensen Beach Causeway, a series of three bridges connecting Hutchinson Island with mainland at Jensen Beach.
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The Frank A. Wacha Bridge rises to a height of 65.6 feet across the Intracoastal Waterway on the Indian River. The main span is 2,523 feet long.5
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SR 732 west lowers onto an island at Jensen Beach Causeway Park.
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SR 732 (Causeway Boulevard) connects with CR 707 (Indian River Drive) at a roundabout across from NE Pineapple Avenue.
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County Road 707 straddles the western side of the Indian River north 15.93 miles to Savannas Preserve State Park and SR A1A at Fort Pierce in St. Lucie County.
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The west relief bridge for the Indian River precedes the roundabout with Indian River Drive (CR 707).
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CR 707 south connects SR 732 with Jensen Beach Boulevard in 0.4 mile. Pineapple Avenue also links with Jensen Beach Boulevard.
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Pineapple Avenue arcs 0.51 miles south trom the roundabout at CR 707 (Indian River Drive) to Jensen Beach Boulevard (CR 707A) at the town of Ocean Breeze.
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Jensen Beach Boulevard (CR 707A) rises west from the roundabout with Candice Avenue, Pineapple Avenue and West End Boulevard to Skyline Drive.
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Jensen Beach Boulevard (CR 707A) intersects Skyline Drive west by Ocean Breeze Plaza shopping center.
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County Road 732 arcs 2.07 miles southwest along Savannah Road, from Jensen Beach Boulevard to CR 707 (Dixie Highway).
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West
The western segment of SR 732 commences along Jensen Beach Boulevard beyond CR 723 (Savannah Road).
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Pinecrest Lakes Boulevard weaves southward through the Pinecrest Lakes development to CR 723 (Savannah Road).
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Green River Parkway stems north from CR 707 (Dixie Highway) to run alongside Savannas Preserve State Park from SR 732 into St. Lucie County.
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Royal Oak Drive is the main entrance to the Jensen Beach and Eagle Marsh Golf Club communities. The entrance to Pineapple Park ties into SR 732 from the south.
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SR 732 west at Goldenrod Road. Goldenrod Road winds along the back side of retail areas along U.S. 1.
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State Road 732 concludes at U.S. 1 across from Treasure Coast Square Mall north of Stuart and south of Port St. Lucie.
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References:
- "New bridge spans Indian River." Stuart News, The (FL), March 6, 2005.
- "Jensen Beach celebrates new link to Hutchinson Island." Stuart News, The (FL), March 5, 2005.
- "Causeway near completion." Stuart News, The (FL), December 31, 2005.
- "New Jensen Bridge Upholds Tradition of Wacha Name." Palm Beach Post, The (FL) , March 6, 2005.
- Jensen Bch. Cswy. over W. Relief Indian River, Martin County, Florida. https://bridgereports.com/1088548 BridgeReports.com.
- SR-732 Jensen Bch. over Indian River East Relief. https://bridgereports.com/1088555 BridgeReports.com.
Photo Credits:
- Alex Nitzman: 10/17/14, 10/16/21, 10/17/21
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Page Updated Tuesday October 11, 2022.