This roundup of standout Florida transportation projects demonstrates the services of GAI’s bridge, highway, roadway, and traffic professionals who work to enhance safety and mobility for travelers while delivering results for clients.
Explore the projects below and discover how GAI’s engineers and designers collaborate with clients to develop plans, specs, and reports, applying innovative solutions that meet each project’s specific needs, save time and money, and create exceptional, sustainable, award-winning results.
I–95 Widening and I-4/US 92 Systems Interchange Reconstruction Design-Build
GAI led the design team on this $206 million safety/capacity project to widen I-95 from four lanes to six lanes north of SR 44 to north of US 92 (International Speedway Boulevard). The project also included reconstruction of the I-95 interchange connecting with I-4 and US 92. Encompassing more than 12 miles of roadway and 20 bridge replacements, this project facilitates vehicular movements for merging, exiting, and through traffic in this heavily traveled corridor.
I-10 / I-95 Operational Improvements Design-Build
GAI was the lead designer working with construction contractor Archer Western to provide construction-phase design services for this $117 million project that modified the ramp and lane configurations, resulting in traffic mobility at this major system-to-system interchange in downtown Jacksonville, FL. Services also included the widening of the Fuller Warren Bridge over the St. Johns River to incorporate an additional travel lane and a new pedestrian path. The team developed Alternative Technical Concepts that saved more than $10 million in construction costs.
Florida’s Turnpike from Atlantic Avenue to Boynton Beach Boulevard
GAI led the design team on this project to widen Florida’s Turnpike (SR 91) from 6 to 10 lanes from north of Atlantic Avenue to north of Boynton Beach Boulevard in Palm Beach County. The project also included the addition of two tolled express lanes that use variable tolling to manage congestion and provide an improved level of service. A major component of the project was the rework of the Boynton Beach Boulevard interchange, which received additional ramps, an all-electronic tolling gantry, and a collector-distributor system to improve operations. The project is bordered by private utility and Lake Worth Drainage District canals; therefore, GAI’s design for the roadway considered the alignment as well as environmental impacts to these waters.
Poinciana Parkway Extension
GAI is providing final design and construction drawings/specifications for Segment 1 of the extension of SR 538 (Poinciana Parkway) from CR 532 to Ronald Reagan Parkway in Osceola and Polk Counties, Florida. This Central Florida Expressway Authority (CFX) project will enhance mobility and alleviate congestion in a rapidly developing corridor through the addition of 3 miles of new 4-lane, limited access highway. GAI’s design innovations in Segment 1 include a diverging diamond interchange (DDI) at the intersection of SR 538 and US 17-92, which will significantly reduce traffic delays as compared to the original concept.
SR 589, Veterans Expressway, Section 5, Widening Design-Build
GAI designed this award-winning, $51 million Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise (FTE) capacity improvement project—which received the 2019 Best in Construction Award from the Florida Transportation Builders’ Association (FTBA) and the Merit Award in the Transportation Roadways Category from the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) Florida region. With the goal of facilitating nonstop travel along a highly urbanized route, this project involved widening Section 5 of the Veterans Expressway between Sugarwood Toll Plaza (Memorial Highway) and Van Dyke Road to complete the 20‑mile, 5-section express lanes system.
Wekiva Parkway (SR 429) Segment 6
GAI provided preliminary design services for a 5.5-mile section of 4-lane, limited-access toll road, along with a parallel non-tolled local service road. GAI’s design consisted of 18 new bridge structures, including a new bridge over the Wekiva River and 5,700 feet of new wildlife bridge structures so animals can safely pass between the Seminole State Forest and Rock Springs Run State Reserve. Segment 6 is located in one of the most environmentally sensitive areas of Central Florida and required close coordination with local agencies/stakeholder throughout the preliminary design process. GAI prepared concept plans and the design-build RFP on this project and is currently acting as the owner’s representative in support of FDOT District 5.
I-95 Rigid Pavement Reconstruction DB
GAI, as a subconsultant, led the design of the roadway, structures, drainage, lighting, utilities, maintenance of traffic, and signing and pavement markings for this major FDOT District Six design-build highway rehabilitation project in Miami-Dade County, Florida. The project involved replacement of concrete pavement on 3.04 miles of the I-95 mainline and shoulders, on- and off-ramp improvements, installation of 5 emergency stopping sites in the median, railing replacement on five bridges, and the replacement of approach slabs on 22 bridges.
This project won the 2020 Florida Transportation Builders’ Association (FTBA) Award for Best in Construction – Interstate, which acknowledges Florida’s most innovative, complex, and impactful projects completed each year.
I-4 and Florida’s Turnpike Mainline (Direct Connect) Design-Build
In partnership with Superior Construction, GAI provided design services for this $85 million design-build interchange improvement project, which enhances traffic operations and provides a vital access point to Central Florida’s tourist attractions. Known as “I-4 Direct Connect”, the centerpiece of the project is the construction of a 2,000-ft, 13-span, prestressed concrete flyover ramp that provides direct connectivity between Florida’s Turnpike mainline (SR 91) to and from the I-4 (SR 400) Ultimate Express lanes. The project also includes nearly 8 miles of milling and resurfacing, miscellaneous roadside improvements to the Turnpike mainline between the Beachline Expressway (SR 528) and I-4; operational improvements at the Consulate Drive southbound off-ramp; and the implementation of a new all-electronic tolling system consisting of 3 toll sites. GAI’s design enhanced operations and improved weave lengths, while also providing an improved solution that reduced impacts to the traveling public during construction. The project opened to traffic in spring 2022.
For more information about GAI’s transportation engineering and design services, contact SVP and Transportation Business Unit Director Kevin Leadbetter, PE, 904.559.8087, or VP and Florida Transportation Business Sector Leader Steve Boylan, PE, 321.354.5661. Message GAI online and start the conversation about how our multidiscipline professionals can meet your unique project needs.
