November 16th marked the inaugural ribbon cutting ceremony for the opening of the SR 600/US 92 Pedestrian Bridge over International Speedway Boulevard in Daytona Beach.
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. Weighing 340,000 pounds, the 180-foot bridge spans US 92, which 43,500 vehicles pass through daily. Check out the time-lapse video of construction workers hoisting the bridge into place using a crane on August 19!
This pedestrian bridge is part of a larger, $17-million project, for which GAI is serving as the prime engineer. The project covers 1.3 miles near the Speedway and includes upgrading the Williamson Boulevard intersection, replacing sidewalks and making them ADA compliant, and adding new landscaping, lighting, aesthetic handrails and fencing, and bridge architectural treatments from Williamson to Midway Avenue.
Under FDOT District Five, this high priority project was put on a fast track based on Volusia County’s high ranking for bicycle and pedestrian injuries due to crashes. Daytona Beach, in particular, has seen a significant amount of pedestrian deaths, and this specific intersection crossing is a safety hazard, especially for tourists.
The project will open in conjunction with major improvements at the Speedway itself—Daytona Rising is a $400 million makeover, expected to be completed in time for the 2016 Rolex 24 At Daytona and DAYTONA 500. In addition, ONE DAYTONA is an $800-million restaurant-retail-entertainment complex that has yet to break ground, with its first phase targeted to open in September 2017.
Read more about the SR 600/US 92 Pedestrian Improvements Design-Build project here, which is expected to finish in early 2016, in time for the City’s premier race week. Contact GAI’s project manager Ron Hoogland, PE for more information at 904.363.1110.
