Work Progresses on $30.8M Interchange

The new Jaxport Railroad Terminal bridges claim the longest 78-inch pre-stressed Florida I-beams in the state.

Tue August 20, 2013 - Southeast Edition
Brenda Ruggiero

A new interchange is being constructed in Jacksonville, Fla., at SR 115, or Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Parkway and 21st Street. The full dollar amount of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) project is $30.8 million and the contract went to Archer Western Contractors based in Chicago, Ill. The project manager is Heath Bunn.

Work began in February of 2012, and is currently on schedule for completion at the end of 2013. The scope of work is to provide a direct interchange between 21st Street and MLK Parkway. The new interchange will include five bridges, six ramps, six retained earth walls, six ponds, and three signalized intersections. In addition, JEA water and sewer services will be upgraded.

"Traffic control restrictions require the new SR 115 mainline to be constructed in three phases," said Douglas Cox, assistant project manager of Archer Western Contractors. "This is required in order to maintain two lanes of traffic in each direction. All bridge substructures are built with spread footing foundations on retained earth walls. There are no pre-cast concrete piles. This was done to reduce noise impact to the surrounding neighborhoods."

The new interchange will reportedly allow for easier access to Jacksonville Port Authority facilities, and will improve safety along the parkway.

Material quantities include 27,000 cu. yds. (20,642 cu m) of ready mix concrete, 350,000 cu. yds. (267,594.2 cu m) of embankment, and 4,965 linear ft. (1,513.3 m) of pre-stressed Florida I-beams for the new bridges.

"The new Jaxport Railroad Terminal bridges claim the longest 78-inch pre-stressed Florida I-beams in the state," said Cox.

Archer Western is self-performing most of the contract, according to Cox. Subcontractors include Atlantic Coast Asphalt for all the asphalt paving; the Haskell Company for the JEA utility scope; Safety Contractors for drilled shafts, signage, and guardrail; and Hinson for lighting and signalization.

"Archer Western uses a wide variety of equipment and boasts one of the largest equipment fleets in the industry," Cox said. "Examples of major equipment used include Kobelco CK2500, American 9299, Grove GMK7550 cranes; Cat 336, Cat 329, John Deere 350 excavators; John Deere 650, 550 and 450 dozers; and Volvo L90G loaders."

Brenda Ruggiero

Brenda Ruggiero has written for CEG for over 20 years. She lives near the town of Accident in far western Maryland. Her favorite assignments so far involved interviews with Survivor’s Boston Rob and hot dog eating champion Joey Chestnut. Both were involved in construction at one time.

Brenda holds a BA in Mass Communication with a writing focus from Frostburg State University and minors in Public Relations and Political Science. She works full time as a staff writer for a weekly newspaper, the Garrett County Republican. She enjoys feature writing the most, which gives her the opportunity to talk to people and share their stories.

Brenda and her middle school sweetheart, Reuben, have been married for over 34 years and have three grown children and four cats.

Today's top stories

Des Moines Airport Works With Weitz/Turner On Expansion

ROMCO Equipment Co., SMT Acquire Bee Equipment Sales

San Francisco County Transportation Authority Bridges Retrofit Addresses Seismic Safety

Year in Review: Bobcat's Major Moments of 2024

MassDOT to Use Drones for Infrastructure Projects; Amherst Exploring New Downtown Designs

Iowa DOT's I-35 Project Includes New Bridges

JM Wood Holds December Auction in Montgomery, Alabama

DEVELON Set to Exhibit at ARA Show 2025

Our Main Office

Construction Equipment Guide
470 Maryland Drive
Fort Washington, PA 19034
800-523-2200

About Us

Construction Equipment Guide covers the nation with its four regional newspapers, offering construction and industry news and information along with new and used construction equipment for sale from dealers in your area. Now we extend those services and information to the internet. Making it as easy as possible to find the news and equipment that you need and want.

Contents Copyrighted 2024, by Construction Equipment Guide, which is a Registered Trademark, registered in the U.S. Patent Office. Registration number 0957323. All rights reserved, nothing may be reprinted or reproduced (including framing) in whole or part without written permission from the publisher. All editorial material, photographs, drawings, letters, and other material will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication and copyright purposes and are subject to Construction Equipment Guide’s unrestricted right to edit and comment editorially. Contributor articles do not necessarily reflect the policy or opinions of this publication.

Read our privacy policy here.
Mastodon

39.95234 \\ -75.16379 \\ Fort Washington \\ PA