The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) awarded a $399M design-build contract to Skanska, USA for the replacement of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in August of 2016.
BHATE Geosciences, led by David Johnson and Tony Thomason, will provide Construction Materials Testing for the project, including Quality Control Services for the pre-pour and post-pour fabrication inspections, reinforcing steel, concrete placement observation and documentation, as well as cast-in-place concrete testing.
BHATE will have an onsite laboratory, accredited by the CMEC, for the curing and testing of concrete specimens. We expect to provide onsite testing for 30 months.
The three-mile Pensacola Bay Bridge, connecting Pensacola to Gulf Breeze, is a primary hurricane evacuation route for the Northwest Florida coast. Built in the 1960s, with a life expectancy of fifty years, the current bridge has withstood hurricanes, tropical storms and even a hit by a barge in 1989. The structure is nearing the end of its life cycle and has been deemed structurally deficient by FDOT.
Building the east and westbound bridges in stages will allow for the least interruption in traffic flow. Once the first bridge is complete, all traffic will shift to the new bridge, allowing for demolition and construction of the second. Each bridge will consist of three lanes in each direction as well as a ‘multi-use path’ on the westbound bridge to provide visitor observation areas and accommodate travelers using non-motorized vehicles.
Skanska has a global presence and is known for providing comprehensive construction services, including the design-build of the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey and the construction of Heron Tower, one of the tallest structures in London. Mr. Uday Bhate says. “Working on this high profile, long-term project helps strengthen our working relationships with Skanska, USA as well as FDOT.”
The bridge is expected to be completed in 2020.
