Duck Key Bridge Updates

9/8/23 Update:

Bimini Drive Bridge

American Empire Builders (AEB) installed the drainage box on the west side of the Bimini Drive Bridge and formed and poured three sections of traffic railing on the west side. The contractor formed and poured the approach slab and sidewalk on the east side of the bridge and is continuing with installing rebar and forms to construct the traffic railing on the east side once the sidewalk concrete cures. AEB will install the final lift of the fill along the approach roadway, and the contractor will remove the concrete barrier wall to prepare for roadway paving. The contractor is working to schedule paving operations.

Once the road is paved and striped, the traffic controls will be removed, and both lanes will be open for traffic. Final punch-list items, like placing sod on shoulders and painting, will occur after substantial completion.

The Bimini Bridge project is scheduled to be substantially completed in September 2023.

Seaview Drive Bridge

The contractor has excavated the roadway and constructed the templates for sheet pile installation on both sides of the bridge in the north lane. Sheet pile installation is scheduled to begin the week of Sept. 11, followed by concrete pile installation.

Substantial completion of the Seaview Drive Bridge project is scheduled for July 9, 2024, which is 540 days after the date of commencement.

Harbour Drive Bridge

The construction contract for the Harbour Drive Bridge replacement project is on the Sept. 20 BOCC agenda for approval. AT&T and Comcast have been working to complete the temporary relocation of their lines at Harbour Drive Bridge in anticipation of work commencing in October.

8/25/23 Update: American Empire Builders (AEB) completed the decorative railing along the bridge deck, formed and poured the concrete approach slab and sidewalk on the west side of the bridge, and formed the traffic railing along the west approach road for the Bimini Drive Bridge. The contractor completed the MSE wall on the bridge's east side and formed the coping on top. AEB is completing the placing and compacting of the fill on the east approach and will proceed with forming the approach slab, moment slab, and traffic barrier on that side to prepare for the concrete placement. AEB is coordinating with the paving contractor in anticipation of scheduling roadway paving once the approach road and slabs are complete.     

The Bimini Bridge project is scheduled to be substantially completed in September 2023.

AEB completed the demolition of the bridge abutments on the north side of the Seaview Drive Bridge and the construction of the temporary critical wall along the center of the roadway. The contractor demolished the approach roadways to prepare to install the sheet pile wall along the canal edge. The contractor is removing rip rap and concrete from the subsurface along the canal to construct the template for sheet pile installation.    

Substantial completion of the Seaview Drive Bridge project is scheduled for July 9, 2024, which is 540 days after the commencement date.

The County received two responses to the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for construction engineering and inspection (CEI) services for the Harbour Drive Bridge project on June 27, and will have a contract with WSP on the September BOCC agenda for approval. The County received one bid for the Harbour Drive Bridge construction on July 6. American Empire Builders submitted a bid for $5,780,000; staff is preparing a construction contract for approval at the September BOCC meeting.    

County staff is coordinating with AT&T and Comcast crews for the temporary relocation of their facilities at the Harbour Drive Bridge in anticipation of the start of construction.

8/11/23 Update: American Empire Builders (AEB) constructed the sidewalk along the bridge deck and has completed construction of the MSE wall and placement of fill on the west approach of the north lane at the Bimini Drive Bridge. The contractor is continuing construction of the decorative bridge railing and the MSE wall and placement of fill on the east approach as well as the construction of concrete cap and coping on the MSE wall and concrete traffic barrier on the west approach. AEB is coordinating with the paving contractor in anticipation of scheduling roadway paving once the approach road and slabs are complete.     

The Bimini Bridge project is scheduled to be substantially completed in September 2023.

AEB completed the demolition of the bridge abutments on the north side of the Seaview Drive bridge and the construction of the temporary critical wall along the center of the roadway. The contractor is demolishing and excavating the approach roadway to prepare to install the sheet pile wall along the canal edge and install the concrete piles.  

Substantial completion of the Seaview Drive Bridge project is scheduled for July 9, 2024, which is 540 days after the commencement date.

The County received two responses to the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for construction engineering and inspection (CEI) services for the Harbour Drive Bridge project on June 27 and will negotiate a contract with WSP. The County received one bid for the Harbor Drive Bridge construction on July 6. American Empire Builders submitted a bid for $5,780,000; staff is preparing a construction contract for approval.    

County staff is coordinating with AT&T and Comcast crews for the temporary relocation of their facilities at the Harbour Drive Bridge in anticipation of the start of construction.

7/11/23 Update: American Empire Builders (AEB) completed the concrete pour for the deck on the north lane of the Bimini Drive Bridge on July 5. The contractor is continuing with the construction of the MSE (stabilization) wall and the placement of fill on both sides of the bridge. AEB will be working on the bridge railing and also preparing to construct the sidewalk on the bridge.   

The Bimini Bridge project is scheduled to be substantially completed in September 2023.

AEB mobilized the barge to the Seaview Drive Bridge and removed the steel girders from the north lane of the bridge. The contractor will be constructing the temporary critical wall along the center of the roadway and, upon completion, will begin demolition of the back walls on the bridge abutments.  

Substantial completion of the Seaview Drive Bridge project is scheduled for July 9, 2024, which is 540 days after the commencement date.

The County received two responses to the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for construction engineering and inspection (CEI) services for the Harbour Drive Bridge project on June 27 and will rank the responses on August 1. The County received one bid for the Harbor Drive Bridge construction on July 6. American Empire Builders submitted a bid for $5,780,000; staff is preparing a construction contract for approval.  

6/30/2023 Update: American Empire Builders (AEB) completed the installation of the five arch beams on the north side of the Bimini Drive Bridge on June 17, and continued construction of the MSE wall on both ends of the north lane. The forms and steel rebar for the concrete deck top have been installed.  

The concrete pour for the north lane deck is scheduled for Wednesday, July 5 at 8 p.m. The work will occur at night to minimize vibration caused by traffic on the bridge during the pour and initial curing period. The speed limit over the bridge will be temporarily reduced to 5 MPH, and county staff will be onsite during the work and through the day on Thursday to assist with traffic control. Temporary signage will also be installed. These precautions will minimize the potential for cracking during the early curing period.

The Bimini Bridge project is scheduled to be substantially completed in September 2023.

AEB mobilized the barge to the Seaview Drive Bridge and removed the steel girders from the north lane of the bridge. The contractor is preparing to install the steel I beams for the temporary critical wall along the center of the roadway next week.  

Substantial completion of the Seaview Drive Bridge project is scheduled for July 9, 2024, which is 540 days after the date of commencement.

The county received two responses to the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for construction engineering and inspection (CEI) services for the Harbour Drive Bridge project on June 27,  and will proceed with reviewing and ranking the responses. The construction plans and specifications for the Harbour Drive Bridge construction project were advertised for bids on June 1, with a bid opening date of July 6.

6/16/2023 Update: American Empire Builders (AEB) placed four of the five arch beams on the north side of the Bimini Drive Bridge and is scheduled to place the fifth beam tomorrow morning (Saturday). After the final beam has been delivered and installed, the contractor will install rebar and forms to pour the concrete deck on the north lane.  

The Bimini Bridge project is scheduled to be substantially completed in September 2023.

AEB removed the fabricated steel step beams and utility support beams from the Seaview Drive Bridge north lane. The contractor is scheduled to mobilize the barge to Seaview Bridge next week to remove the steel bridge girders. Once the girders are removed, AEB will install the steel I beams for the temporary critical wall along the center of the roadway.   

Substantial completion of the Seaview Drive Bridge project is scheduled for July 9, 2024, which is 540 days after the date of commencement.

The Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for construction engineering and inspection (CEI) services for the Harbour Drive Bridge project was advertised for responses on May 24. The response receipt date is June 27. The construction plans and specifications for the Harbour Drive Bridge construction project were advertised for bids on June 1, with a bid opening date of July 6.

6/15/2023 Update - Change of beam delivery from Monday 6/19 to Saturday 6/17: American Empire Builders (AEB) placed the third of five concrete beams in the north lane of the Bimini Drive Bridge this morning.  The remaining two beams are scheduled to be transported to the site and installed on Friday, June 16 and Saturday, June 17. Traffic will be stopped, and both lanes on the bridge will be fully closed at 8 a.m. for approximately 15 minutes while two cranes will lift the beam off the truck and set it in place.

6/13/23 Update - TIME CHANGE TO 8 A.M. FOR DELIVERED BEAMS: American Empire Builders (AEB) placed the first of five concrete beams in the north lane of the Bimini Drive Bridge this morning. Traffic was stopped at 9 a.m., and both lanes of the bridge were closed for approximately 15 minutes while two cranes lifted the beam off of the truck and set it in place.

The remaining four beams are scheduled to be transported to the site and set one each day for the next four days, with the final beam scheduled for delivery Monday, June 19.

To facilitate transport and daily delivery, traffic will be stopped, and the bridge will be fully closed at 8 a.m. instead of 9 a.m. each day beginning on Tuesday, June 14. The temporary closures are expected to be approximately 15 minutes long while the beam is lifted. Please plan accordingly for this time change.

06/12/2023 Update: The Bimini Drive Bridge beam deliveries are scheduled to begin on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 with full lane closures for up to 15 minutes expected and will take place after 9:00 am. Final delivery is tentatively scheduled for Friday, June 16, 2023 but could extend to Monday, June 19, 2023.

06/2/2023 Update: The Bimini Drive Bridge beam delivery is temporarily postponed while the shipping company works out permitting with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). The beam work is now tentatively scheduled to begin the week of June 5th-9th, 2023.

5/29/2023 Update: There will be a once daily Bimini Drive Bridge closure beginning on Tuesday, May 31 through Friday, June 2, and again on Monday, June 5 for the arched beam installations. The closure will take place after 9 a.m. and are expected to last for 20 minutes or less. The exact time for each closure is dependent on the time of the beam deliveries and is to be in accordance with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) permitting requirements for transportation.

5/20/23 Update: American Empire Builders (AEB) has constructed the two end bents and poured the concrete cap on the sheet pile wall on both sides. The contractor is installing MSE wall panels in front of the end bents and preparing the area to install the five arch beams on the north side. The beam installation is tentatively scheduled to begin on Tuesday, May 30 and work will proceed in a similar manner as it did for the south lane. It is anticipated that beams will be transported to Duck Key and set one at a time over a period of five days; while the work is proceeding, there will need to be a full closure of the bridge for a short period of time each day. Updated schedule information will be provided once the start date is confirmed.

The Bimini Bridge project is scheduled to be substantially complete in September 2023.

AEB is removing the steel I beams from the north lane of the Seaview Drive Bridge and is beginning construction of the temporary critical wall along the center of the roadway.

Substantial completion of the Seaview Drive Bridge project is scheduled for July 9, 2024, which is 540 days after the date of commencement.

The Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for construction engineering and inspection (CEI) services for the Harbour Drive Bridge project will be advertised for responses next week. The response receipt date is June 27 . The construction plans and specifications for the Harbour Drive Bridge construction project will also be advertised for bids, with a bid opening date of July 6.

5/5/2023 Update: American Empire Builders (AEB) completed installation of the concrete piles on the north lane of the Bimini Drive Bridge on April 21; one pile did not reach bearing capacity and will be replaced with a spread footer and column as was done in the south lane. The contractor formed and poured the end bent on the west side and the spread footer on the east side of the bridge. AEB has constructed the level pad for the MSE wall on the west side of the bridge and is moving to the east side to construct the end bent and level pad for the MSE wall. 

The Bimini Bridge project is scheduled to be substantially complete in September 2023.

AEB removed the asphalt from the roadway on the north lane of Seaview Drive Bridge and is beginning construction of the temporary critical wall along the center of the roadway. Once the temporary critical wall is constructed, the contractor will remove the I beams that supported the bridge deck and proceed with demolition.  

County crews replaced the plywood deck on the bridge on April 24. 

Substantial completion of the Seaview Drive Bridge project is scheduled for July 9, 2024, which is 540 days after the date of commencement. 

The Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for construction engineering and inspection (CEI) services for the Harbour Drive Bridge project is being finalized and will be advertised for responses in May. Staff is preparing the contract documents in order to advertise for construction bids for the Harbour Drive Bridge in the next month as well.

4/21/23 Update: American Empire Builders (AEB) completed the installation of the concrete piles on the east side of the Bimini Drive Bridge on April 14. The outer pile did not reach bearing capacity and the contractor intends to construct a spread footer and column to support the end bent, similar to what was done on the south lane. AEB moved to the west side of the bridge, pre-drilled the three piles and drove them on Friday, April 21; all three piles on the west side reached capacity. Vibration monitoring is being performed and will continue during the work as required by project specifications. Crews have begun forming and pouring the concrete cap on the sheet pile walls and forming the spread footer, column, and end bent on the east side. Upon completion of this work, the contractor plans to begin forming the leveling pad for the MSE wall.  

The Bimini Bridge project is scheduled to be substantially completed in September 2023.

AEB is removing the asphalt from the roadway on the north lane of Seaview Drive Bridge and is preparing to remove the steel I beams that supported the north lane deck. Once demolition is complete, the contractor will begin installing the temporary critical wall along the center of the roadway.

It was noted during an inspection that the plywood decking on the south lane of Seaview Drive Bridge needs to be replaced. County crews are scheduled to be on-site Monday, April 24 to perform this work.

Substantial completion of the Seaview Drive Bridge project is scheduled for July 9, 2024, which is 540 days after the date of commencement.

4/10/23 Update: American Empire Builders (AEB) completed the sheet pile wall installation on both sides of the north lane of Bimini Bridge and is performing pre-drilling to install the concrete piles on the east side. The contractor anticipates installing the concrete piles on the east side in the next two weeks. Upon completion of the pile installation, AEB will form and pour the concrete end bent on that side before moving to the west side of the bridge. Vibration monitoring is being performed and will continue during the work as required by project specifications.   

The Bimini Bridge project is scheduled to be substantially completed in September 2023.

AEB completed the Phase I temporary widening of the south lane of the Seaview Drive Bridge and shifted traffic to the south lane on March 27.   The contractor installed the guardrail along the bridge's center and is demolishing the north lane deck. Once that is completed, he will begin removing the asphalt roadway in order to install the temporary critical wall.

Substantial completion of the Seaview Drive Bridge project is scheduled for July 9, 2024, which is 540 days after the date of commencement.