- Home
- Our Community
- Duck Key Bridge Updates
Duck Key Bridge Updates
Nov. 3, 2023 Updates:
Bimini Drive Bridge: American Empire Builders (AEB) placed the final layer of asphalt and temporary striping on the roadway and completed painting the Bimini Drive Bridge. The contractor anticipates completing sod placement and final site restoration within the next week. The thermoplastic striping will be installed after the asphalt has cured.
Seaview Drive Bridge: AEB completed the installation of the sheet pile wall on the west side of the Seaview Drive Bridge (north lane) and installed the three concrete piles on the same side. The contractor has constructed the platform to cut the concrete piles and begin forming the concrete end bent on the west side. The contractor constructed the template to begin sheet pile installation on the east side of the bridge, which will be followed by concrete pile installation on that side. Vibration monitoring equipment is in place, and monitoring is ongoing throughout the project in accordance with project specifications.
Substantial completion of the Seaview Drive Bridge project is scheduled for July 9, 2024, which is 540 days after the commencement date.
Harbour Drive Bridge: AT&T crews have completed the temporary relocation of their lines at the Harbour Drive Bridge; the contractor is coordinating with FKEC to remove utility poles from the east side of the bridge.
AEB crews cleared vegetation from the right of way on the west side of the bridge and have constructed the forms and steel reinforcing for the wall needed to widen the west lane of the bridge. In addition, AEB’s subcontractor performed the pre-construction settlement monitoring surveys and existing conditions inspections of the exterior of the properties that are within the monitoring zone outlined in the specifications.
Substantial completion of the Harbour Drive Bridge project is scheduled for March 18, 2025, which is 540 days after commencement.
Oct. 20, 2023 Updates
Bimini Drive Bridge: American Empire Builders (AEB) completed construction of the sidewalk on the west end of the Bimini Drive Bridge, shaped the drainage swales on all four sides of the bridge, and completed sod placement in three of four areas. The contractor is painting the MSE walls and bridge structure and anticipates paving the final lift of asphalt early next week.
Seaview Drive Bridge: AEB completed installation of the sheet pile wall on the west side of the Seaview Drive Bridge (north lane) and has mobilized to the east side to begin installation of the sheet pile wall on that side. Concrete piles are being delivered to the site next week in anticipation of installation upon completion of the sheet pile. Vibration monitoring equipment is in place and monitoring is ongoing throughout the project in accordance with project specifications.
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 County issued the Notice to Proceed on the Harbour Drive Bridge to AEB on Sept. 25. Substantial completion of the Harbour Drive Bridge project is scheduled for March 18, 2025, which is 540 days after commencement.
AT&T crews are onsite to relocate their lines at Harbour Drive Bridge prior to removal of utility poles by FKEC. AEB crews have cleared vegetation from the right-of-way on the west side of the bridge and have begun construction to widen the west lane. In addition, AEB’s subcontractor will be contacting property owners within the Harbour Drive monitoring area in the next few weeks to access properties to perform the pre-construction settlement monitoring survey and existing conditions inspection on the exterior of the properties.
Oct. 6 Update:
Bimini Drive Bridge: American Empire Builders (AEB) completed the construction of the concrete traffic railing on the bridge’s east side and has formed the sidewalk on the west side in anticipation of concrete delivery next week. The drainage swales on all bridge sides are formed, and sod will be placed next week. The contractor is scheduling the final asphalt layer, roadway striping, and bridge painting.
The contractor’s vibration monitoring subcontractor was onsite to perform the post-construction survey to document final conditions on proximate properties and to remove the vibration monitoring units from the Bimini Drive project site.
Seaview Drive Bridge: AEB completed the installation of the sheet pile wall on the west side of the Seaview Drive Bridge (north lane) and will begin preparing to install the concrete piles there and the sheet pile wall on the east side. Vibration monitoring equipment is in place, and monitoring is ongoing throughout the project per project specifications.
Substantial completion of the Seaview Drive Bridge project is scheduled for July 9, 2024, 540 days after the commencement date.
Harbour Drive Bridge: The construction and construction engineering and inspection (CEI) contracts for the Harbour Drive Bridge replacement project were approved by the BOCC at the Sept. 20 meeting. The County issued the Notice to Proceed to American Empire Builders (AEB) on Sept. 25. Substantial completion of the Harbour Drive Bridge project is scheduled for March 18, 2025, 540 days after commencement.
AT&T crews were onsite last week to relocate their lines at Harbour Drive Bridge before the removal of utility poles by FKEC. AEB crews started clearing vegetation from the right-of-way on the south side of the bridge. The contractor will be setting up maintenance of traffic (MOT) equipment next week in anticipation of closing the west lane of the bridge the following week. In addition, AEB’s subcontractor will contact property owners within the Harbour Drive monitoring area in the next few weeks to access properties to perform the pre-construction settlement monitoring survey and existing conditions inspection on the exterior of the properties.
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.
Weight Restrictions
As of Nov. 18, 2021, there are no weight restrictions on any of the Duck Key bridges. Florida Legal loads can cross all bridges on Duck Key.
Garbage Service Updates
Garbage service is not affected by bridgework.
Background
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) inspectors advised that three interior Duck Key bridges that affect Harbour Island, Plantation Island, and Yacht Club Island need to be replaced. The Bimini Bridge, constructed in 1955, was already scheduled for replacement. County staff accelerated the bidding process for the Bimini Bridge with an estimated contract period to complete the replacement is 18 months. The County approved a strengthening plan for the existing north lane of the Bimini Bridge. This will allow one lane of traffic to cross while the south side of the permanent bridge is being constructed. The strengthened section will allow Florida legal weight limits to cross without a reduced weight load. Bimini Bridge affects Harbour, Plantation, and Yacht Club islands and also connects to the Harbour Drive and Seaview bridges.