The University Boulevard Bridge, which connects Arlington to Clifton, is set to be replaced in the next couple of years.

The bridge, built in 1959, was deemed structurally deficient in 1999 and must be replaced.

"Right now the bridge is safe," Florida Department of Transportation spokesman Mike Goldman said. "It has had regular maintenance and we've had periodic upkeep on it. But when a bridge is structurally deficient, that means it has to be replaced eventually. It just can't go on forever in that present condition."

The good news for residents is detours and traffic headaches should not come along with the $20.6 million project. That's because a temporary bridge will be built before the existing bridge is replaced.

Having a temporary bridge will make residents happy, especially those who live in the Clifton area, because one side of the bridge goes directly into their neighborhood.

"That's OK with me as long as we don't have to go all the way around to get back to Atlantic Boulevard," said Marge Wagley, who lives near the bridge.

The current bridge goes over the Arlington River in between the Arlington Expressway and Atlantic Boulevard, separating Clifton from Arlington. The temporary bridge will be built next to the existing one and will carry the nearly 12,500 cars a day that travel over the University Boulevard Bridge.

Goldman said the project is still in the designing phase and officials are still going over permit areas. In the meantime, residents near the bridge are hoping the detours really will stay at a minimum, and they look forward to having a brand new way to cross the Arlington River.

"It'll be an improvement and I'm sure, and they should take to it pretty well. I will," Wagley said.

FDOT said the project is part of a regular review and inspection that all of bridges go through. It's expected to last about two and a half years.