Making ends meet... from water level, the insides of the segments look small, but workers have ample room inside the joined segments to complete the post-tensioning process.

Opening the eastbound portion of the bridge will change the way visitors to Daytona enter its famous beach area. The current roadway passes Daytona's famous racetrack on International Speedway Boulevard, and turns left several blocks before crossing the Intracoastal Waterway on the low, old bridge. The new bridge will carry traffic from International Speedway Boulevard straight over the Intracoastal Waterway to a height of 20 meters, providing a magnificent view of the Waterway itself, and the Atlantic Ocean.

Aware that the new 820-meter-long structure would become an important landmark, the citizens of Daytona clamored for a beautiful bridge. They are getting exactly that. When completed, the new structure will feature mosaic tile (see photo, page 2) on the piers and sculpted sidewalk panels, customized aluminum hand rails, customized light poles cast with arms to carry banners, and architecutral lighting to illuminate the bridge piers at night.

Workers cut post-tension cables inside the bridge.

After opening the eastbound bridge, crews will begin erecting segments on the westbound portion. All 26 piers are now in place, and the abutment is completed on the west end. However, the remaining portions of the substructure at the east end cannot be completed until that end of the old bridge is demolished. Barge-mounted cranes were used for the substructure work.

Barges are also transporting the segments from the casting yard at Flagler Beach to Daytona. Three barges will have taken a total of 41 trips by the time they have delivered all 352 segments the 30 miles to Daytona. The segments range in weight from 90 to 115 tons.

Rich Weimar Han Poort

The casting yard is located at an abandoned concrete plant owned by Leheigh Cement. According to yard superintendent Rich Weimar, the original plan was to have segment production keep up with erection. However, delays in erecting the superstructure led to problems with storagein the casting yard. A Minitowac 888 crane was rented to move the segments out of the way so casting could continue. Segment casting was completed by September 25.

Erection crews are averaging installation of 14 segments per week. At that rate, the project should be on schedule for completion by May 2001, according to project manager Hans Poort.