Owner: Florida Department of Transportation

Client: Gilbert Southern/Massman

Project Value: $26.5 million

Project Duration: September—
November 2004

Parsons Responsibilities:
Bridge engineering including replacement bent and pile design, construction load evaluation, procedures for realigning superstructure spans, and design of the temporary traffic pattern.

On September 16, 2004, Hurricane Ivan struck Pensacola, Florida, with 120-mile-per-hour winds that severely damaged the 2.5 mile I-10 bridge over Escambia Bay. The hurricane’s wrath resulted in over 3,400 feet of the bridge dropping into the bay, requiring a detour that added at least an hour of travel time for motorists. On September 17, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) awarded Gilbert Southern/Massman and Parsons a contract to make emergency repairs on the bridge.

In addition to destroying over 3,400 feet of superstructure spans, Hurricane Ivan destroyed over 24 pile bridge bents. Numerous superstructure spans were required to reposition the bridge. Parsons was responsible for all bridge repair engineering tasks, including new bents and piles, as well as the support detail design for the Acrow (metal) panel decks that replaced the missing superstructure spans. Parsons also evaluated the bridge for construction loads and prepared procedures for realigning the superstructure spans. Parsons designed a detour to be implemented while the bridge was under repair.

Span being placed on the westbound bridge to restore two-way traffic.

Because the project site had no electricity or running water, the design-build team and the FDOT staff moved to an office in Tallahassee. The office’s efficient communication and coordination kept the project going 24/7. After seventeen days of 24/7 work, two-way traffic was restored on the westbound bridge—seven days ahead of schedule. Florida Governor Jeb Bush and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Minneta attended the recognition ceremony on October 5, 2004. They praised the workers involved with this heroic effort. “The work that you did makes me and the 16.5 million Floridians proud,” said Governor Bush.

Current condition of the eastbound bridge with one traffic lane open.

Repairing the more heavily damaged eastbound structure was more difficult. The construction team used Acrow bridge panels to span the gaps left in the three-mile bridge. On November 20, 2004, the eastbound bridge was opened to traffic—27 days ahead of schedule.

In just 66 days after Hurricane Ivan struck Pensacola, Florida, the 3,400-foot I-10/Escambia Bay Bridge was reconstructed and opened for traffic.

Back