John Steinbeck called it “the mother road, the road of flight.” Nat King Cole crooned about its kicks in a 1946 hit song. Disney and Pixar took inspiration from it for a 2006 blockbuster.

CENTURY, Fla. -- Freedom Road in Century is heavily used by cars and pedestrians. But the bridge that leads to the main road is impassible. The town closed "Freedom Road Bridge" five years ago ...