Duck Key Bridge Updates

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.

3/10/23 Update: American Empire Builders (AEB) completed the demolition of the concrete bridge deck in the north lane of the Bimini Bridge and is excavating the approach roadway and demolishing portions of the concrete end bents. Once the contractor has excavated to the appropriate grade, he will install the sheet pile wall along the canal. Vibration monitoring is being performed and will continue during the work as required by project specifications. AEB will also begin trenching to construct the foundation for the MSE wall on the north side.

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

AEB has completed the Phase I temporary widening of the south lane of the Seaview Drive Bridge and installed a guardrail along the bridge. The contractor anticipates delivery of the concrete barrier wall to be placed along the outer edge of the widened roadway next week. He will install the center guardrail along the bridge to prepare to switch traffic to the south lane. Once Phase I is complete, two-way alternating traffic will be shifted to the south lane so that Phase II of the project -- demolition and reconstruction of the north lane -- may commence. 

AEB removed the FKAA pipes from the sides of the Seaview Bridge and anticipates removing the support beams during the project.

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