In 2013, Florida exported $85 billion of products, with truck traffic transporting goods along highways between railroads and sea ports. In 2017, to accommodate this increase in truck traffic and fix deficiencies in the existing bridges, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) identified the interchange at Interstate 10 and US 301 for reconstruction. FDOT hired Superior Construction to reconstruct the interchange by building new ramps and bridges that improve traffic flow and safety.
Project Fast Facts
Client: Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
Work Performed: Construction of 1.9 miles of roadway at a highway intersection over CSX Railway; demolition of 4 bridges; construction of 5 new bridges; 5,500 linear feet of retaining walls
Project Schedule: 7 years, 3 months
Completion Date: Anticipated completion: February 2023
The Work
Superior is constructing 1.9 miles of roadway, replacing four bridges, and building four additional bridges on a route with heavy traffic. In addition to the traffic challenge, the bridges are built over a CSX Railroad railyard, which means the timing of the work must be precise to coordinate with the CSX right-of-way. When the initial design stalled because the work could not be completed to align with CSX traffic, Superior collaborated with FDOT and a new designer to create an improved design.
The Superior team coordinated and cooperated with FDOT and CSX during the redesign process to have all plans approved. The new design bypassed many construction complexities of the initial design. The new plan eliminated the need for a bent in the CSX railyard and instead includes one span that stretches across the railyard, reducing construction interference with the railroad. This is accomplished using 235-foot long weathering steel beams, which weigh 300,000 pounds per pick. Superior used their cranes to perform tandem picks.
The Result
While the redesign process took one year to complete, the benefits of the redesign are so significant that all stakeholders benefit. The new design is far more constructable, and all significant timeline milestones have since been met or exceeded. Because of the design improvements, excellent coordination with CSX and FDOT, and the hard work of the Superior team, the project is proceeding ahead of schedule. When complete, the new interchange will improve a critical route of Florida’s regional transportation network, critical to Florida’s infrastructure and economy.