And it begins… Construction begins this week on the “high-tech tarantula” – what Miami Herald’s Linda Robertson calls Downtown Miami’s “signature bridge” – with test piles at NE 2 Avenue and NE 12 Street.
The project contractor has mobilized equipment to test site 5B (shown in the link below) and is expected to begin driving test pile(s) into the ground on Tuesday, January 15 (Wednesday, January 16 is an alternate date). Upon completion of pile driving activity at test site 5B, the contractor will resume additional test pile activity at site 5A. The test pile program is designed to gather data that will enable the design engineers to further develop the foundation plans for the I-395 Signature Bridge. The test pile operations will produce noise and vibration at times, and a monitoring program will be in place to ensure that levels remain within acceptable limits.
http://www.i395-miami.com/construction-updates/
In addition, there will be lane closures from Monday, January 14, through Friday, January 18, on I-95 for surveying. The closure schedule is as follows:
- Three lanes on southbound I-95 from NW 29 Street to NW 17 Street will be closed nightly.
- Two lanes will be closed between the hours of 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
- The third lane will be closed between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5:30 a.m.
- On Friday night the three lanes will be closed between the hours of 11 p.m. and 11 a.m.
The full project includes major improvements to I-395, I-95, and SR 836; as well as public spaces and downtown parking.
The limits on I-395 are from the SR 836 / I-95 / I-395 (Midtown) Interchange to the MacArthur Causeway, approximately 1.4 miles long. The project will completely reconstruct the existing interstate and create a signature bridge that will span 1,025 feet over NE 2 Avenue and State Road (SR) 5/Biscayne Boulevard redefining the Miami skyline with its six sweeping arches. The signature bridge with its high vertical clearance will transform the area beneath I-395 into 30 acres of vibrant open communal spaces for the enjoyment of Overtown residents, nearby communities and visitors. The project will add additional capacity to I-395 with a total of three through lanes in each direction and provide separate connector ramps for traffic to and from I-95. The existing I-395 eastbound off-ramps at NE 2 Avenue will be moved west to North Miami Avenue, and the westbound on-ramps at NE 1 Avenue will be shifted to the west to North Miami Avenue. NW 2 Avenue will also be reconnected under I-395 providing residents greater access.
http://www.fdotmiamidade.com/i395designproject
Projected completion of the project is fall of 2023.