The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority reported Wednesday Orion Marine Construction of Tampa is one-third complete with its $40 million three-span project.
Wednesday was Day 206 of the 630-day project. 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.
"The project is progressing very well and it remains on schedule and slightly under budget," said Jim Cooper, GIBA executive director.
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The taller Center Bridge footings, columns and caps, which will support the new bridge deck, will be completed by the end of October.
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 is nearly complete and 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.
A 4-foot square concrete slab wall section will be installed next week. 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.
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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
Rip-rap and shore protection installation is in progress.
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.
Deck slabs to be set in November along with underwater "marine mattress" shore protection.
The five final piling pier caps will be installed in October and November.
Work on the mechanically stabilized earth concrete wall on the north side will gain a 4-foot square concrete slab wall sections. Four-square-foot concrete slab wall sections will be placed next week followed by backfilling the north side area with stabilized material.
South side bulkhead now complete. Tie rod and concrete dead men are complete. South side seawall backfilling in progress.
Center Bridge progress notes
Final height above water equals 26 feet.
All five footings are set.
Four columns are complete with fifth to be poured this week. Each column is 7 feet in diameter and about 12-feet tall. The columns stand on the footings.
All Center Bridge primary structural support areas - footings, columns and caps - should be complete by mid-October.
Fourth of five caps to be poured next week. 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 Center Bridge primary structural support areas - footings, columns, and caps - will be complete by Oct. 31.
