Portion of West Colonial closed this weekend, pedestrian bridge being installed

ORLANDO, Fla. (FOX 35 WOFL) - This weekend West Colonial will be closed between N Orange Avenue and Garland Avenue, as a truss for a new pedestrian bridge is installed.  That way, people will be able to avoid all the traffic.

Here at West Colonial Drive, just crossing the street downtown can be dangerous. Orlando resident Angie Candelaria says, "I almost got hit by a car right by that intersection over there."

But a new pedestrian bridge is being built east of I-4, west of North Orange, crossing W Colonial Drive. Right now its under construction.

"It takes me about 5-10 minutes to cross the street." Angie lives on one side of W. Colonial and works on the other side. She says the future pedestrian bridge is a step in the right direction. "If I ever need to use it, it will make me feel better than just going across Colonial."

The 230 foot pedestrian bridge is the city's first trail overpass, connecting Gertrude's Walk to the Orlando Urban Trail. It will also allow people easier access to Sunrail, stores and restaurants in the area.

"If it brings more people downtown that's a big thing. It will help out." Adam Canning of Fergs says he bicycles to work everyday. "Its gonna be a lot safer for pedestrians to get over here and it looks really nice. Orlando's getting better everyday. That's awesome."

Angie agrees, "It means that I can get around the city a lot safer and a lot quicker."

West Colonial Drive between Orange and Garland Avenue will be closed from 10 p.m. Saturday through 6 a.m. Sunday.

The new bridge is expected to be finished by early 2019. It will cost $10 million to build.