KEY LARGO, FL — Stantec has been selected by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District 6 in partnership with Monroe County to lead the Project Development & Environment (PD&E) Study for the Card Sound Bridge replacement in North Key Largo, Florida.
The Card Sound Bridge serves as one of only two ways motorists can access the Florida Keys, a popular tourist destination. Built in the 1960s, the existing two-lane bridge spans the Intracoastal Waterway, linking Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. With its aging infrastructure and structural concerns, the bridge is due for a comprehensive evaluation.
The PD&E study will address the structural degradation and design limitations of the current bridge. It will include the development of bridge alternatives, bridge hydraulics, preliminary structural engineering, drainage design, maintenance of traffic strategies, benthic surveys, cultural resource surveys, and coordination with multiple local, state, and federal agencies.
“The PD&E study that precedes a bridge replacement is crucial in addressing the specific needs of the project and the community, both now and in the future,” said Beth Beam, Senior Transportation Planner at Stantec. “Our team is committed to developing a bridge replacement alternative that meets the transportation purpose, enhances resilience, and minimizes environmental impacts in this rich natural area of the Florida Keys while meeting the needs of the communities in South Florida.”
The study will evaluate strategies to enhance emergency management and evacuation during extreme weather events. It will also assess the feasibility of integrating multimodal improvements to better serve a wider range of users.
Public engagement will be continuous throughout the duration of the project, ensuring the community’s voice is reflected in the study’s outcomes. The project will follow FDOT’s PD&E Manual, which complies with the National Environmental Policy Act and Federal Highway Administration.
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| Ring Power Corporation |
The PD&E study marks the first phase in FDOT’s project delivery process, paving the way for future phases such as final design, right of way acquisition (if needed), construction, and long-term maintenance of a new bridge.
