Merritt Island’s Sykes Creek Bridge Repairs Will Linger Into 2019, Closed Since September

By  //  August 28, 2018

bridge has been closed since September

Sykes Creek Bridge at Sea Ray Drive on Merritt Island will remain closed to traffic into the year 2019 based on the latest projection of how long it will take the County to complete design-build phase for permanent repairs. (Image for Space Coast Daily)

BREVARD COUNTY • MERRITT ISLAND, FLORIDA – Sykes Creek Bridge at Sea Ray Drive on Merritt Island will remain closed to traffic into the year 2019 based on the latest projection of how long it will take the County to complete design-build phase for permanent repairs.

The bridge has been closed since September, when Hurricane Irma caused severe erosion and scouring around the bridge’s pilings, threatening the bridge with potential collapse and raising concerns related to an attached water main that the City of Cocoa uses to provide service to water customers on the barrier island.

The Brevard County Board of County Commissioners passed a resolution to commit to making permanent repairs on the bridge following an estimated $1.3 million in temporary repairs that were completed in June by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The temporary repair ensures the stabilization of the water main, provided the bridge is not used for traffic. It’s estimated as much as $3 million could be reimbursed to the County through FEMA for permanent repairs.

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Commissioners were recently informed that the County is working to maintain eligibility for FEMA reimbursement for permanent repairs, and that’s lengthened plans for a design-build on the project. It’s estimated requests for proposals for a consultant to do a design criteria package and initiate permitting could be advertised within the next month or so. Once that process is completed, a qualified design-build team will be solicited, followed by permitting and actual construction.

The timetable lengthens the potential completion of the project into 2019.

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