Maitland Pedestrian Bridge
In 2018, SGL Constructors–a design-build collaboration between Skanska USA Civil, Granite Construction, and The Lane Construction Corporation–were in the midst of construction on a new pedestrian bridge in Maitland, FL, as part of the I-4 Ultimate project. The planned suspension bridge featured an impressive towering arch, and it aimed to connect residential neighborhoods and a SunRail station on one side of I-4 to a series of sports complexes on the other.
Then disaster struck.
An unrelated pedestrian bridge project near Florida International University collapsed, killing six people and severely injuring several others. This tragic event compounded several pre-existing concerns about the ambitious design for the Maitland bridge, including the long building timeline required for the structure; the impact on travel due to I-4 closures; the risk inherent to building a complex structure like an arch–which requires 150-foot or higher temporary shoring towers–during hurricane season; and the high maintenance costs associated with an arch suspension bridge. As a result, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) requested a more risk-averse redesign of the Maitland pedestrian bridge.
A view of the walkway of the Maitland pedestrian bridge, showcasing the truss structure enclosed with safety fencing.
The existing design-build team reached out to JMT to redesign the bridge’s substructure to support a new truss bridge superstructure. Additionally, as the engineer of record on the redesign, JMT was responsible for providing a new lighting design for the bridge, reviewing the design and drawings for the truss superstructure created by project partner Big R, and reviewing all construction submittals as the project progressed.
Taking on this redesign in the middle of construction meant that our team faced some unique design challenges. JMT needed to incorporate the previously constructed ramps and abutments at either end of the project site into the new design to minimize additional costs and prevent delays that would impact the overall I-4 Ultimate project timeline. To do so, the team needed to determine how to securely place the redesigned superstructure on a skewed alignment while also ensuring that the new bridge elements blended into the existing structures.
The area surrounding the bridge is prone to sinkholes, so the project team also needed to ensure the new structure foundation systems met project specific guidelines for sinkhole resistance.
The design team addressed these challenges head-on and reused as many of the existing bridge elements as they could by implementing modifications and creative solutions. Most significantly, the team made modifications to the existing abutments to connect the new truss structure. The team added a column to the west abutment to support one edge of the new truss structure on that side while the other edge was attached to the abutment. On the east end abutment, which was closer to traffic and so offered less space for modifications, the team added a corbel–a structure that extends directly off the abutment–to support the truss. With these modifications, the team was able to place the straight truss on the skewed alignment of the abutment that allowed it to connect securely and blend into the existing abutments and ramps.
JMT’s design team also reused a portion of the temporary shoring towers that would have been used to build the originally planned arch. The shoring towers were partially constructed, and our team repurposed the piles that would have held up the towers, reinforcing the piles with concrete and incorporating them into the new piers that hold up the middle portion of the truss. Originally a temporary measure, the shoring tower piles became a permanent piece of the new bridge’s support structure.
In addition to the piers, the new design features architectural pylons, tall structures attached to either side of the piers and the abutments, which serve as an interesting visual element of the design.
Alongside their effort to ensure the new structure blended well structurally and visually with the existing elements, the team also completed a new aesthetic and lighting design. The Maitland pedestrian bridge marks an entrance into the community, so the team ensured that the bridge’s exterior reflected that purpose.
A close-up of the decorative, wave-shaped fencing on the Maitland pedestrian bridge.
The side of the bridge that faces incoming traffic features the name “Maitland” in large sign lettering. The sides of the bridge are decorated with blue, wave-shaped fencing, and the abutments both have a colorful, backlit “M” medallion. Rather than being made completely of plain concrete, the bridge piers feature rib rustication, a masonry effect that looks like vertical ribbing. The walkway is lit at night with canopy and railing lighting along the bridge’s pathway, and the architectural pylons are illuminated with color-changing LED rings and topped with beacon lanterns.
Despite the complexity of the challenges this redesign offered, JMT’s final design for the bridge was completed on time, and the team even provided the contractor with an advanced final submittal a week ahead of schedule.
The new bridge, completed in November 2021, offers an aesthetic welcome to residents and visitors approaching Maitland, FL. By connecting the residential neighborhood and SunRail station on one side of I-4 with the sports complexes on the other, the Maitland pedestrian bridge has also made both recreational activities and public transportation in the area easier and safer to access.
Taking on this redesign in the middle of construction provided our team with unique challenges to address and an opportunity to illustrate our creative strength and commitment to excellence. JMT is proud to have helped improve pedestrian safety and community connectivity in Maitland, and this bridge will continue to serve the community for years to come.