Duck Key Bridge Updates

3/10/23 Update: American Empire Builders (AEB) completed the demolition of the concrete bridge deck in the north lane of the Bimini Bridge and is excavating the approach roadway and demolishing portions of the concrete end bents. Once the contractor has excavated to the appropriate grade, he will install the sheet pile wall along the canal. Vibration monitoring is being performed and will continue during the work as required by project specifications. AEB will also begin trenching to construct the foundation for the MSE wall on the north side.

The Bimini Bridge project is scheduled to be substantially completed in September 2023.

AEB has completed the Phase I temporary widening of the south lane of the Seaview Drive Bridge and installed a guardrail along the bridge. The contractor anticipates delivery of the concrete barrier wall to be placed along the outer edge of the widened roadway next week. He will install the center guardrail along the bridge to prepare to switch traffic to the south lane. Once Phase I is complete, two-way alternating traffic will be shifted to the south lane so that Phase II of the project -- demolition and reconstruction of the north lane -- may commence. 

AEB removed the FKAA pipes from the sides of the Seaview Bridge and anticipates removing the support beams during the project.

Substantial completion of the Seaview Drive Bridge project is scheduled for July 9, 2024, which is 540 days after the date of commencement.

2/24/23 Update: American Empire Builders (AEB) is continuing with the demolition of the north lane of the Bimini Bridge, which will continue through the next week. The waterway beneath the Bimini Bridge will be closed to boaters. When demolition activities are complete, AEB will install the sheet pile wall and concrete piles. Vibration monitoring is being performed during the work as required by project specifications.

The Bimini Bridge project is scheduled to be substantially completed in September 2023.

AEB has constructed the concrete wall for the Phase I temporary widening of the south lane of the Seaview Drive Bridge and is removing the existing curb and backfilling behind the exterior wall to construct the widened road. The contractor is scheduled to pour the concrete pad on the expanded roadway next week and will install the barrier wall and guardrail once the concrete is cured. The widening is needed to provide sufficient lane width for vehicles to travel on the south side during Phase II of the project. Once Phase I is complete, two-way alternating traffic will be shifted to the south lane so that Phase II of the project, demolition and reconstruction of the north lane, may commence. 

AT&T and Comcast have relocated their lines to the new utility poles at Seaview Drive Bridge; FKAA has already completed the subaqueous installation of its lines at the Seaview Drive Bridge. The old pipes attached to the sides of the Seaview Drive Bridge will be removed during demolition and reconstruction. 

Substantial completion of the Seaview Drive Bridge project is scheduled for July 9, 2024, which is 540 days after the date of commencement.

2/10/23 Update: American Empire Builders (AEB) is continuing to excavate the approach roadway and demolish the north lane of the Bimini Bridge. Demolition will continue through the next two weeks, during which time the waterway beneath the Bimini Bridge will be closed to boaters. Upon completion of demolition activities, AEB will begin preparation and layout to install the sheet pile wall and concrete piles.   

AT&T and Comcast have completed the installation of their lines at Bimini Bridge and have removed old lines from the utility pole adjacent to the north side of the bridge; the pole will be removed as demolition of the north lane progresses. The Bimini Bridge project is scheduled to be substantially completed in September 2023.

The pre-construction meeting for the Seaview Drive Bridge project was held on Jan. 10. A notice to proceed, effective Jan. 16, was issued to the contractor. Substantial completion of the project is scheduled for July 9, 2024, which is 540 days after the date of commencement.

The pre-construction survey for existing conditions for the four properties adjacent to the Seaview Drive Bridge is complete. The contractor completed Phase I clearing and grubbing on the south side of the Seaview bridge and has formed and poured portions of the exterior concrete wall on that side so that the lane can be widened. The widening is needed to provide sufficient lane width for vehicles to travel on the south side during Phase II of the project. Once Phase I is complete, two-way alternating traffic will be shifted to the south lane so that Phase II of the project, demolition and reconstruction of the north lane, can commence.  

AT&T and Comcast have relocated their lines to the new utility poles at Seaview Drive Bridge; FKAA has already completed the subaqueous installation of its lines at the Seaview Drive Bridge. The old pipes attached to the sides of the Seaview Drive Bridge will be removed during demolition and reconstruction.  

Bimini Bridge Canal: AEB is scheduled to move a barge into the canal beneath the Bimini Drive Bridge on Thursday, Jan. 19 to begin Phase II demolition of the north lane of the bridge. Please be advised that the canal will be closed at the Bimini Drive Bridge as of that date.

1/27/23 Update: American Empire Builders (AEB) moved the barricades and traffic signals to implement the Phase II traffic control plan for Bimini Drive Bridge on Tuesday, Jan. 10; the contractor is continuing excavating the approach roadway and demolition of the north lane of the Bimini Bridge. Demolition will continue through the next week and a half, during which time the waterway beneath the Bimini Bridge will be closed to boaters. Upon completion of demolition activities, AEB will begin preparation and layout to install the sheet pile wall and concrete piles.   

AT&T and Comcast are scheduled to be onsite next week to relocate their lines so that FKEC can remove the utility pole adjacent to the north side of the bridge so that demolition may continue. The Bimini Bridge project is scheduled to be substantially completed in September 2023.

The pre-construction meeting for the Seaview Drive Bridge project was held on Jan. 10; a notice to proceed effective Jan. 16 was issued to the contractor. Substantial completion of the project is scheduled for July 9, 2024, which is 540 days after the date of commencement.

The contractor’s surveyor completed the baseline survey, and AEB performed clearing and grubbing on the south side of the bridge. AEB is scheduled to perform the initial conditions inspection and baseline settlement monitoring survey of adjacent properties during the week of Feb. 6. Vibration and settlement monitoring will be performed during construction as required by the construction specifications.  

The contractor is scheduled to mobilize to the Seaview Bridge to set up maintenance of traffic to close the south lane to traffic on Jan. 30 to begin Phase I of the project. He will continue clearing and grubbing activities on the south side to prepare to construct an exterior wall to temporarily widen the road on that side. The widening is needed to provide sufficient lane width for vehicles to travel on the south side during Phase II of the project. Once Phase I is complete, two-way alternating traffic will be shifted to the south lane so that Phase II of the project -- demolition and reconstruction of the north lane -- can commence.  

FKAA has completed the subaqueous installation of its utility lines at the Seaview Drive Bridge; the piping that remains on the bridge will be removed during the demolition of each side.

1/13/23 Update: American Empire Builders (AEB) moved the barricades and traffic signals to implement the Phase II traffic control plan on Tuesday, Jan. 10; the contractor has begun clearing and grubbing on the north side of the Bimini Bridge and has started demolition of the deck approach roads. FKAA personnel are scheduled to be onsite Saturday, Jan. 14, to remove their pipes from the north side of the bridge. AEB and FKAA are coordinating so that FKAA can remove additional subsurface piping as AEB performs demolition and excavation of the bridge approaches on the north side.

AT&T and Comcast are scheduled to be onsite next week to pull their lines through the conduit installed on the bridge’s west side and make final connections on the west side. Once complete, FKEC will remove the utility pole adjacent to the bridge’s north side.

The pre-construction meeting for the Seaview Drive Bridge project was held on Jan. 10; a notice to proceed effective Jan. 16 was issued to the contractor. Substantial completion of the project is scheduled for July 9, 2024, 540 days after the commencement date.

The contractor’s surveyor will be onsite performing the baseline survey. AEB will contact adjacent property owners over the next week to obtain access to the property to perform the initial conditions survey and the baseline settlement monitoring survey that is required per the contract specifications. The contractor will mobilize to the site to begin Phase I of the project soon after completing the survey.

A task order for engineering design and permitting services for repairs to the Tom’s Harbor Channel Bridge that connects Duck Key to U.S. 1 is on the January BOCC agenda for approval. The construction phase, which is anticipated to consist primarily of repairs to spalling concrete and rebar in the superstructure and substructure of the bridge, is tentatively scheduled for late 2024.

1/6/23 Update: Bimini Bridge Phase II Traffic Plan: AEB’s maintenance of traffic subcontractor is scheduled to be on site at the Bimini Drive Bridge on Tuesday, Jan. 10 to relocate barricades and traffic control equipment for the commencement of phase II of the project.  

The phase II traffic plan opens access to Corsair Road and Harbor Drive, so vehicles traveling west will cross the Bimini Bridge and be able to continue left onto Schooner Drive, straight onto Corsair Road or right onto Harbor Drive.

The east bound traffic will be routed to Corsair Road where a traffic signal will control traffic from Corsair Road and Harbor Drive. Schooner Drive will be closed to eastbound traffic between Schooner Lane and Bimini Drive; eastbound vehicles from Plantation and Yacht Club Islands will be routed onto Schooner Lane and around to Corsair Road to cross the bridge. 

12/16/2022 Update: American Empire Builders (AEB) completed the traffic railing on the west side of the bridge and placed, compacted, and tested the fill on both approaches to prepare for paving. The stormwater swale on the east side is complete, and the contractor will construct the swale on the west side. Comcast completed the installation of its conduits through the project site to the west side of the bridge. The contractor is coordinating with the paving company to schedule the roadway paving next week and is awaiting confirmation of whether or not they will mobilize to the site to perform the work before the holiday.

After the paving is complete, the Phase I work will be finished, and the contractor will open the south lane and switch traffic to it. There will be a new maintenance of traffic plan for Phase II of the work, which will be posted in advance of the switch. The current schedule indicates that the project will be fully complete by fall 2023.

Contracts for the construction of the Seaview Drive Bridge and the inspection and oversight (CEI services) were approved by the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners. The County received one construction bid from American Empire Builders for $5,260,000. The pre-construction meeting for the Seaview Project will be conducted the second week of January, and the contractor will mobilize to the site after that.

The County is preparing a task order for engineering design and permitting services for repairs to the Tom’s Harbor Channel Bridge that connects Duck Key to U.S. 1. The construction phase, which is anticipated to consist primarily of repairs to spalling concrete and rebar in superstructure and substructure of the bridge, is tentatively scheduled for late 2024.

Utility Relocation - FKEC Work Status

 For questions, contact: Michael J Roberge, Director of Engineering, Florida Keys Electric Cooperative, Office: 305-852-1034, Cell: 231-675-8500.