The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority will rule Dec. 6 at a special meeting on an appeal from the Miami construction firm whose low bid was rejected on Halloween along with four others.
Another hurdle dead ahead is a planned 30-day period of one-lane traffic on the South Bridge regulated by traffic signals at either end of the span. The road constriction will begin sometime between Jan. 15 and Jan. 30.
Construction of the fixed bridges continues to move along smoothly. GIBA reported Wednesday on Day 262 of the 638-day project that Orion Marine Construction crews have the tri-bridge project 42 percent complete.
Article Photos
Jim Cooper
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.
South Bridge progress notes
Wing support side walls are being installed.
Fact Box
To Go
What: Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority special meeting
When: 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6
Why: to review GIBA Swing Bridge contract appeal
Where: Boca Grande Community Center Woman's Club Room
To Go
What: Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority Audit Committee meeting
When: 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 6
Why: to review all GIBA contracts
Where: GIBA admin room.
Bridge construction keys
Prime fixed-bridge contractor: Orion Marine Construction of Tampa
Start: Construction began March 12, 2012, on Center and South fixed bridges
South Bridge completion: March 2013
Center Bridge completion: December 2013
Swing Bridge completion: January 2016
final deck rebar is being installed this week.
Concrete wing walls and deck topping will be poured 8.5 inches thick on the 18-inch thick preformed deck slabs in mid-December.
Orion Marine has finished installing special marine mattresses to serve as underwater scour protection on either side of the South Bridge.
Rip Rap: All large Rip Rap shore protection complete.
Elevated road construction: Nnorth end roadway backfilling almost complete. Orion's road crews are close to finishing foundation work on Mechanically stabilized earth concrete wall on both sides.
Center Bridge progress notes
Six custom-engineered concrete beams to support the final traffic deck with four beams supporting the new deck under each of six spans. Each span is 137 feet long and 5-foot-3-inches tall. I-beam work begins in January 2013.
All sub-structure complete: concrete pilings (land and water) for both bridges all now fully set.
