95 EXPRESS, PHASE 2 DESIGN AND PLANS PREPARATION
95 EXPRESS, PHASE 2 DESIGN AND PLANS PREPARATION
To help relieve congestion on Interstate 95 in South Florida, a large, multi-phase design-build project is underway to construct express (variable tolled) lanes in both directions of the interstate in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. This project is know as “95 Express”. The limits of Phase 2 are from the Golden Glades Interchange in Miami-Dade County to Broward Boulevard in Broward County.
RS&H is on the design-build Phase 2 team with Hubbard Construction Company and Metric Engineering. Some structural aspects of this project include the addition of toll facilities, widening of bridges, use of temporary retaining walls, replacement and modifications to existing MSE retaining walls, replacement of mast arms, modifications to existing sound-barriers, rehabilitation and modifications to existing overhead and gantry sign structures, and construction of new overhead and gantry sign structures.
Personal responsibilities on the project were the design and plans preparation for nearly 60 overhead sign sign structures including cantilevers, spans, double cantilevers, and a “spantilever”. Foundation types included drilled shafts, spread footings and a custom duel shaft / cap foundation. I was also responsible for the custom design and details for catwalks and sign hangers for oversized signs – of which there were many. Lastly, I was responsible for the review of the shop drawings prepared for these structures and handling RFI’s during construction.
