This high-profile project changed the character of the State Road (SR) 600/US 92 corridor by creating a pedestrian-friendly destination and unique gateway to Daytona Beach and the Daytona International Speedway.
GAI Project Manager Ron Hoogland, PE comments, “We are proud to have partnered with FDOT District Five and P&S Paving/Superior Construction on this successful project, which will benefit the Speedway, the Department, local government, the public, and all other stakeholders. A quality end product—a Gateway to the City of Daytona Beach—was achieved through excellence.”
A Need for Improved Pedestrian Safety—Statewide, Countywide, and Citywide
In order to make streets safer for everyone, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) adopted a Complete Streets Policy in 2014, and in 2015, issued its Complete Streets Implementation Plan in partnership with Smart Growth America. In FDOT District Five, the high-priority SR 600/US 92 Pedestrian Improvements project in Volusia County, Florida was put on an accelerated schedule in order to provide much-needed vehicle and pedestrian safety and operational improvements to this corridor, prior to the 2016 season of events at the Daytona International Speedway.
“We are proud to have partnered with FDOT District Five and P&S Paving/Superior Construction on this successful project, which will benefit the Speedway, the Department, local government, the public, and all other stakeholders. A quality end product—a Gateway to the City of Daytona Beach—was achieved through excellence.”
Project Overview—SR 600/US 92 Pedestrian Improvements
The $17-million project spanned the limits of the Daytona International Speedway property, with work on the north and south sides of SR 600/US 92. Improvements included upgrades to the Williamson Boulevard/SR 600 intersection and five other intersections, new mast arms, audible pedestrian signals, intelligent transportation systems, and a closed drainage system throughout the 1.38-mile project limits. Amenity improvements from Williamson to Midway Avenue included streetscape; bold landscaping; 12-foot, decorative ADA-compliant sidewalks; a 180-foot-long, 15-foot-wide pedestrian bridge with a speaker system and lighting; new LED street and sidewalk lighting; new bus stop and gateway features; aesthetic handrails and fencing; specialty bridge lighting; and attractive bridge architectural treatments.
The Pedestrian Bridge
The new pedestrian bridge over the International Speedway Boulevard (SR 600/US 92) constituted a significant component of the overall project. The design-build team selected a pre-fabricated bridge for easier installation and to limit on-site construction and impacts to vehicles and pedestrians. Made of steel with a concrete deck and access ramps, the $3.9-million bridge structure was fabricated in Fort Payne, Alabama, delivered by truck in several pieces, and assembled on site in one night. Weighing 340,000 pounds, the bridge spans US 92, which 43,500 vehicles pass through daily. The bridge opened to foot traffic on November 16, 2015 and supplements the existing pedestrian bridge.
Meeting a Tight Schedule
A major stakeholder—The Daytona International Speedway—had clear development completion dates that could not be affected by construction. With an aggressive design-build timeframe of 420 days, the project was started in October 2014 and completed on December 15, 2015—in time for the City’s premier race week. The SR 600/US 92 project opened in conjunction with major improvements at the Speedway itself—DAYTONA Rising is a $400 million makeover of the American icon, completed in time for the 2016 Rolex 24 At DAYTONA and the 58th DAYTONA 500.
“A true design-build, this project’s success is a direct result of a great partnership between the Department, the design-build team, and the customers,” notes Hoogland. “Another great project completed with P&S Paving/Superior Construction—their relationships and quality work continue to help our team succeed and we are fortunate to have them as a partner.” For questions or additional information about the SR 600/US 92 project, contact Director of Engineering Ron Hoogland, PE at 904.363.1110.
SR 600/US 92 PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS AWARDS
The design-build team of P&S Paving/Superior Construction (Prime Contractor JV) and GAI Consultants (GAI-Prime Design Engineer), in partnership with FDOT District Five, has accepted the following awards for the SR 600/US 92 Pedestrian Improvements project.
SASHTO Quality of Life & Community Development – Small Category Award
As part of the America’s Transportation Awards competition, the Southern Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (SASHTO) annually honors the best transportation projects in its region, divided into three awards categories. At the SASHTO Annual Meeting on August 30, 2016 in Sulphur Springs, WV, the SR 600/US 92 Pedestrian Improvements project received the SASHTO Quality of Life & Community Development – Small Category Award.
FTBA Best in Construction Special Significance Award
The Florida Transportation Builders’ Association (FTBA) annually recognizes commendable transportation construction projects in Florida. At the 2016 FTBA Annual Convention on August 5 in Orlando, the SR 600/US 92 Pedestrian Improvements project received the FTBA Best in Construction Special Significance Award.
FICE Outstanding Design-Build Award
Each year, the Florida Institute of Consulting Engineers (FICE) acknowledges outstanding achievements in Florida transportation projects. At the 2016 FICE Transportation Conference awards ceremony in Orlando on May 12, FICE awarded the FICE Outstanding Design-Build Award to the SR 600/US 92 Pedestrian Improvements project.