Royal Park Bridge
Live status of Royal Park Bridge updates in real time in the IsBridgeUp app; typical patterns are below.
Opening schedule
The draw opens on the hour and half-hour, except Monday through Friday (except federal holidays) from 7:30–9:00 AM and 4:00–6:00 PM, when it opens only on the half-hour. When the Presidential Security Zone is enforced, the afternoon restriction runs 2:15–6:00 PM.
Regulation: 33 CFR 117.261(j)
Monthly opening statistics — June 2026
Span: Eastbound
Openings by hour of day (ET)
Based on 20 days with FL511 data in June 2026.
Span: Westbound
Openings by hour of day (ET)
Based on 29 days with FL511 data in June 2026.
Vessel traffic — June 2026
By vessel type
- Recreational27
- Towing / tug0
- Passenger0
- Cargo / tanker0
- Other / unknown0
Counts include AIS-broadcasting vessels only; actual vessel traffic is higher.
About the bridge
The Royal Park Bridge links West Palm Beach with the island of Palm Beach, and a crossing has stood here since the town's earliest days. Elisha Newton 'Cap' Dimick built the first Royal Park Bridge as a wooden toll structure in 1911, charging 25 cents per vehicle and five cents per pedestrian. A two-lane concrete replacement opened on August 11, 1924, and survived the catastrophic 1928 Okeechobee hurricane. That span was itself replaced in 1959, but the discovery of wood-boring damage led to its condemnation in 1998. The current bascule bridge opened in 2005 and carries State Road 704 under the Florida Department of Transportation.
Physical characteristics
| Vertical clearance, closed (MHW) | 21 ft |
| Bridge type | bascule |
| Year built | 2005 |
| Owner | Florida DOT (FDOT) |
| VHF channel (bridge tender) | Ch 9 |
Road traffic
Annual average daily traffic (AADT): 25,500
Frequently asked questions
- Is Royal Park Bridge open right now?
- Royal Park Bridge opens and closes for vessel traffic throughout the day. Live status is available on this page and updates in real time in the IsBridgeUp app.
- How often does Royal Park Bridge open?
- In June 2026, Royal Park Bridge opened 41 times — about 2 openings per day, with an average opening lasting 8.4 minutes.
- What is the opening schedule for Royal Park Bridge?
- The draw opens on the hour and half-hour, except Monday through Friday (except federal holidays) from 7:30–9:00 AM and 4:00–6:00 PM, when it opens only on the half-hour. When the Presidential Security Zone is enforced, the afternoon restriction runs 2:15–6:00 PM.
- What is the vertical clearance of Royal Park Bridge?
- The vertical clearance in the closed position is approximately 21 ft at mean high water. Vessels requiring more clearance need an opening.
- Do I need to request an opening?
- Vessels that cannot pass under the closed span signal the bridge tender for an opening, as provided by US Coast Guard drawbridge regulations (33 CFR Part 117).
Know before you go
IsBridgeUp shows live drawbridge status, opening patterns, and vessel radar — free in your browser, no install needed.
Open the app