A party of four is keeping the old DuPont Bridge around longer than planned.

The only holdup to demolishing the bridge is the nesting of three blue herons and an osprey, said Martin Brust, resident engineer for the Panama City Florida Department of Transportation office. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission identified the birds and instructed the DOT not to proceed to ensure the birds are not disturbed or killed.

"We're waiting for the birds to finish nesting, and we don't know how long that will take," Brust said.

The bridge, which used to lead to Tyndall Air Force Base, was closed to traffic in the early 1970s when the new bridge was built. But the old one, with less than one-fourth of the original structure standing, remained open for fishing until January 2006, when it was deemed structurally unsafe.

Brust also said inspectors found the birds, which are 2 to 3 feet tall, to be aggressive toward visitors.

The old DuPont Bridge dates back almost 60 years, when it was in the state's possession. It later was deeded to the county. The agreement between Bay County and FDOT contained a clause that returned ownership of the bridge to the state if the bridge no was longer usable for any purpose.

FDOT had been looking at ways to salvage the crumbling structure, but although some in the community want it kept as a fishing pier, FDOT officials have said they won't keep it open just for fishing interests. County staff has concluded it is too risky and costly of an investment to maintain the bridge.

Tommie Speights, the District 3 FDOT spokesman, said a portion of the old bridge will become an artificial reef.