Misener marine designed this floating jig, which is easier to use and more compact than a conventional jig and template system. This template positions four casings for drilled shafts. The shafts are then filled with concrete to form the piers of the bridge.
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Misener crews at
Myakka Bridge
overcome obstacle course
Misener Marine's Myakka Bridge project is located on Florida's gulf coast at Port Charlotte, about 90 miles south of Tampa. Crews are working in an extremely tight space between two old bridges. The highway bridge built in 1959 borders one side of the project. Roughly parallel to the old bridge is a former railroad bridge, now used as a fishing pier. With only 47 feet between the two existing structures, the 45-foot-wide barge barely clears as it enters the work area.
This tight access is further complicated by 7-mph tides, with a 2-foot variation. According to project manager Jeff St. John, crews enjoy only 15 minutes of calm water between tides. Crews also have problems running aground in five feet of water.
Misener crews use a water jet to help lower concrete sheet piling into place. The piling forms a sea wall at each abutment of the bridge.
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As if that weren't enough of a challenge, inserting concrete sheet piling for the sea wall at the abutments has been difficult. Below the expected sand layers, the piling hit clay, which is difficult to penetrate.
Approximately 30% of the $24.5 million project is completed. The last of 72 drilled shafts will be finished by mid December, and crews will be continuing with column and cap construction. By January, crews will begin setting concrete girders on the 17-span bridge. The 80-foot-long girders are being made in Tampa at a facility near Misener's yard and will be transported by barge to Port Charlotte. Other parts of the project are underway, including the installation of 1,200 meters of sea wall and the building of 4 miles of roadway.
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