The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority reported Wednesday the $40 million three-span project remains on schedule seven months into construction.
Day 213 of the 637-day project saw the Orion Marine Construction crews notch the 33-percent completion mark. The finish date for the new South Bridge remains March 2013, completion for the 800-foot-long Center Bridge remains December 2013 and the Swing Bridge should be done by January 2016.
"In just five more months in March 2013, our new GIBA replacement South Bridge will be fully operational for two-lane traffic," said Jim Cooper, GIBA executive director.
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The South Bridge foundation is being laid.
This is the first Florida coastal bridge specifically designed to me new storm surge criteria and capable of taking a direct hit with uplift from a 17-foot storm surge.
All sub-structure is complete for the Center and South bridges with concrete pilings fully set in land and water.
The north end roadway of the South Bridge should be done by Nov. 1. Orion's road crews will then begin work on the mechanically stabilized earth concrete wall on the south side.
Fact Box
Bridge construction keys
Prime contractor: Orion Marine Construction of Tampa
Start: Construction began March 12 on Center and South fixer bridges
South Bridge completion: March 2013
Center Bridge completion: December 2013
Swing Bridge completion: January 2016
GIBA ad valorem milestones
April 25: Decided specific terms of property tax to be placed on ballot
July 9: File ballot language with county
Oct. 1: Toll increases to $6 per vehicle
Oct. 19: Official public notice of referendum
Nov. 6: Election Day
Orion will use flagmen for a concrete pour from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Friday through October to complete all footings, columns and caps.
South Bridge progress notes
South bridge pilings now complete.
Final of five piling pier caps to be installed in November.
South side seawall is now complete.
Orion recycled the old South Bridge concrete base for installation on the south side with a thick top layer of about 2-foot diameter quarried limestone rock between the new south-side seawall and mechanically stabilized earth wall. Rip-rap and shore protection installation is in progress.
Deck slabs to be set in November along with underwater "marine mattress" shore protection.
Center Bridge progress notes
Fourth of five caps poured today and last to be done Oct. 23. Caps rest on columns to provide structural support for four beams that support the Center Bridge deck. Each Center Bridge cap is custom designed. Caps are 37 feet long, 6 feet tall and 5 feet deep.
All five columns complete with fifth poured Wednesday. Each column is 7 feet in diameter and about 12-feet tall. The columns stand on the footings.
Final height above water equals 26 feet.
All five footings are set.
All Center Bridge primary structural support areas - footings, columns and caps - should be complete by mid-October.
All Center Bridge primary structural support areas - footings, columns, and caps - will be complete by Oct. 31.
