The new bridge will be a high-level alternative on approximately the same alignment as the existing bridge to minimize environmental and right-of-way impacts. The new bridge will have a vertical clearance of 65 feet and a horizontal clearance of 125 feet. The typical section consists of two 11-foot-wide through lanes, one in each direction, and 5-foot-wide outside shoulders, 5-foot-wide sidewalks, separated by a 1.5-foot railing, on both sides of the bridge.
Working for Volusia County and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), WSP USA designed a high-level replacement for an aging movable bridge that currently spans the Intracoastal Waterway (ICWW) in Daytona Beach. A Project Advisory Committee (PAC) was established to help guide the design process and ensure that all stakeholders were consulted.
The project offered several unique design challenges. The required 65 feet of vertical clearance over the ICWW, combined with the relatively short bridge length, resulted in excessively steep (7%) approach grades. Limited project right-of-way required an “in-line” replacement and a full detour for all traffic and pedestrians. As a result, the required construction schedule was a key concern for residents and business owners. Furthermore, the client wanted a “signature” structure despite a relatively modest construction budget of $42 million.
