Florida International University (FIU) in the USA has confirmed the appointment of a design-build team of MCM and Figg Bridge Engineers for the 8th St pedestrian bridge and associated footpaths and plazas.
MCM had announced in November that the team had won the contract. The appointment for the US$9.3 million project has now been officially confirmed by the university, which has published further pictures and details.
“The pedestrian bridge along with inviting walkways, lighting and landscaping, will offer a safer transportation route for our students and visitors between the Modesto A Maidique Campus and the City of Sweetwater,” said Kenneth Jessell, FIU senior vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer.
The MCM-Figg bridge design includes a central support tower rising 33m above the road.
Other features of the bridge include a lighting system designed by Randy Burkett that will illuminate it at night, a 9m-wide concrete canopy and enough width to allow for the comfortable passage of bikes and pedestrians as well as a space for special events and student seating.
A 53m section of the overall 98m-long bridge will be prefabricated adjacent to Southwest 8th Street on the campus and then moved into position in a single night so as to minimise traffic disruption.
FIU, the Florida Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration approved the selection of the team. The City of Sweetwater and Miami-Dade Transit also participated in the selection process. The MCM-Figg partnership will now finalise the design of the pedestrian bridge and other streetscape elements.
Groundbreaking will take place this spring; the project is expected to be completed by summer of 2018.
