1. Will the bridge be raised?

Part of the design process is to evaluate how much the bridge can reasonably be raised. Several constraints are involved with this type of evaluation including user safety, right‐of‐way limits, sight‐distance, ADA requirements, speed limit, and Coast Guard permitting.

2. Why did the bridge become so critical all of a sudden?

The bridge has received routine biennial (every other year) inspections and maintenance over its life and the superstructure has received satisfactory ratings over the past several years. As such, the bridge was not on the City’s list of bridges prioritized for immediate replacement. However, during routine maintenance to the structure in August 2017, extensive deterioration including concrete section loss and steel corrosion that had previously been hidden by loose concrete was observed. This led to the immediate closing of the bridge for safety reasons.

In summary, industry standard practices for bridge inspection governed by FHWA and implemented by the FDOT and the City did not reveal what we were able to observe during the removal of loose, degraded concrete, which exposed the extent of the corrosion.

3. What is the City doing to ensure the durability, sustainability, and resiliency of the new bridge?

Any bridge located in a marine environment, such as the 40th Avenue NE Bridge, requires special consideration for several aspects such as the corrosive salt water, coastal storm events, and sea level rise. There are standards of practice that exist today that equip new bridges much better than those of years past to counteract and withstand these impacts. The 40th Avenue NE replacement bridge will be designed for a life of at least 75 years.

As exhibited with the existing 40th Avenue NE bridge, chloride intrusion from the salt water is the biggest cause of deterioration in coastal bridges across the state of Florida. City engineers are working with state officials not only to implement current best practices for corrosion resistance but also to implement recent industry innovations for structural durability, such as the use of non‐corrosive reinforcement.

The City is fully committed to delivering sustainable and resilient projects. As such, the new bridge will be designed to withstand impacts from climate change including sea level rise and extreme weather events. The project will meet the requirements of the City’s Integrated Sustainability Action Plan (ISAP).

4. When will the bridge be replaced?

There are several criteria that must be considered when replacing a bridge; especially one over a navigable waterway. In addition to the navigational impacts of the bridge replacement, there are other measures: environmental; safety; users; including vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians; traffic; and utilities that need to be evaluated. Once these conditions are considered and approved by overseeing agencies and stakeholders, the bridge design will begin. The design will require FDOT oversight and approval which will be accomplished through several phases. It is anticipated that construction will begin following the bridge study and design phase will take approximately two years to complete.

5. Is the bridge safe to cross?

Yes, the bridge is safe to cross. Traffic was diverted away from the deteriorated center slab units that were part of the original 1961 bridge construction, to the outer slab units that were built in the 1991 bridge widening and are still in good condition. The bridge has been load rated for its current configuration and the load posting at the bridge represents the truck weights allowed to safely cross the bridge in its current configuration.

6. Is the project funded for design and construction?

Yes, funds are available for the design and construction of the Bridge, and includes the use of Penny Funds.

7. What is the Project schedule?

Project Duration
Final Design Fall 2018 to Winter 2020
Bidding Phase Winter 2020 through Summer 2020
Construction Phase Fall 2020 through Spring 2023

A detailed schedule is available on the Project website.

8. Where should I go to get updates?

Please visit the Project website at: http://www.40thavenuebridge.com/

9. Will the new bridge accommodate accessibility needs for Americans with Disabilities?

Yes. The US Department of Justice published revised regulations for Titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 “ADA” in the Federal Register on September 15, 2010. These regulations adopted revised, enforceable accessibility standards called the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design “2010 Standards” or “Standards”. The 2010 Standards set minimum requirements — both scoping and technical — for newly designed and constructed or altered state and local government facilities, public accommodations, and commercial facilities to be readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities.