Sunny Isles Beach Archives

CGA designed an award-winning concept for an innovative pedestrian bridge over “the most dangerous within the City-limits.” This was in support of a Miami-Dade County Transportation Planning Organization grant. The CGA design team approached the design by breaking free from traditional pedestrian bridges (usually surrounded by a cage structure) that transcend the illusion of a cage and instead create an elevated park system, increasing pedestrian and vehicular safety. The design approached the project as creating a destination and experience by branding it as a ‘park’ and not just a ‘bridge.’ Instead of simply creating a connection across the street, the project should instead be thought of as a solution that creates an extension of open space that envelops the bold ethos of its context with an iconic and emblematic solution that increases connectivity and capitalizes on the vistas of Sunny Isles Beach. CGA was able to obtain approval of its security and safety strategy from FDOT District 6 and paved the way for the project to move forward into its design and construction process.

CGA was retained by the City of Sunny Isles Beach to survey, design, permit, and administer the construction of the North Bay Road Bridge, spanning a canal between 174th St. and 172nd St. along North Bay Road. The principal function of the bridge is to provide pedestrian access across the canal, as well as it is designed to provide access to emergency vehicles as a bypass to Collins Ave. during periods of heavy traffic congestion.

The CGA team approached the project first as a ‘place’ and a pedestrian amenity, and second as an emergency access last. The design was centered on creating a park-like setting with planting and seating that would appeal to pedestrian use and would promote lingering. A strong branding strategy was embedded within the hardscape design that reinforced the concept of using infrastructure as a recreational asset and in turn has established it as a landmark within the City. The project included several work efforts adjacent to the bridge, including the construction of an observation deck in Town Center Park, located at the eastern end of the canal, and a boardwalk connecting the deck to the North Bay Road bridge. Associated drainage, roadway, utility, and hardscape improvements were made along 174th St. and 172nd St. to account for the increased drainage and other impacts to the surrounding infrastructure.

The project involved intensive coordination with regulatory agencies, utilities, government entities, and local stakeholders. The CGA team was able to procure all necessary permits to conduct the work on schedule.