A beam on the 247m-long main span of the 2.2km steel cantilever truss bridge was hit by the ship. Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) judged the damage so severe that the deck could collapse.

Jacksonville-based Superior Construction submitted a bid of US$1.07 million for the work, which FDOT estimated would take 40 days. Superior Construction could also earn up to US$500,000 in bonuses under a US$50,000 a day incentive, as it is aiming to complete the work in 30 days.