Miami Archives

Calvin, Giordano & Associates, Inc. (CGA) is providing the Construction, Engineering and Inspection (CEI) services on I-95 rigid pavement replacement and emergency stopping sites (ESS) construction design-build contract in District Six. This includes the removal and reconstruction of all rigid pavement on I-95 from north of NW 29th Street to north of 79th street, the removal of existing asphalt shoulders within the project limits, replacement of the existing asphalt shoulders with 10.5” thick concrete rigid pavement, milling and resurfacing of entrance and exit ramps between NW 29th street and NW 79th street, replacement of the existing guardrail within the project limits to meet the latest standards, replacement of five (5) existing bridge traffic railings; to meet the latest standards and crash testing requirements, reconstruction of bridge approach slabs on 22 bridges, minor signalization improvements at the ramps, replacement of existing express lanes delineators, upgrading the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) cameras and poles, and signing and pavement markings improvements.

The project also includes the construction of 13’-4” Express Lanes Emergency Stopping Sites at 5 locations (2 in the SB direction and 3 in the NB direction) from NW 62nd St. to NW 131st St. The construction of the stopping sites will be accomplished by removing the existing concrete median barrier wall and concrete pavement, then widening the adjacent slab by 5’-5”. This includes the removal and replacement of existing drainage structures, the installation of new shoulder inlets with 15” drainage pipe in the median to address ponding issues at the 5 ESS Sites. CGA will be responsible for the maintenance of the roadway, the impacted ramps, and frontage roads. This maintenance will include but is not limited to, delineator replacement, incident management, lighting, landscape, pothole repairs, and ITS maintenance from the time the existing ITS equipment is switched with the new equipment. The ESS Sites are substantially complete and are open to the public.

CGA was subcontracted by Hardesty and Hanover, the engineering firm on the design build team with Kiewit Construction. CGA’s scope included hydrographic and topographic survey, drainage design, lighting and signing and pavement markings for the rehabilitation of the Rickenbacker Causeway’s West Bridge and the rehabilitation and expansion of the Bear Cut Bridge. The Bear Cut bridge was widened to accommodate a multiuse path in both directions, separated from the travel lanes by a barrier wall; and 8’ bike lanes adjacent to traffic in both directions. Also included were both approaches to Bear Cut Bridge which required coordination with two of the County’s adjacent future projects. The Rickenbacker Causeway is highly utilized by cyclists, both road bikes and cruisers. As such, Miami Dade Traffic was very focused on accommodating all users and getting stakeholder feedback as part of the project.

Numerous meetings and coordination efforts made permitting the signing and pavement markings for this project possible. As part of the rehabilitation of the Bear Cut bridge, the existing cross slope and bridge deck structure were modified impacting the existing drainage. Permitting through Miami-Dade County’s Regulatory & Economic Resources Department and South Florida Water Management District was accomplished through innovative design and extensive agency coordination since the receiving waters, Biscayne Bay, are Outstanding Florida Waters. Electrical coordination for the demolition and rehabilitation of the bridge deck was critical to maintaining safe travel ways during construction. CGA coordinated the bridge circuits during construction as well as providing new lighting for the widened bridge and new multi-use paths.