Client: Miami-Dade County

Location: Miami-Dade County, Florida

​The Rickenbacker Causeway connects eight lanes of traffic from Miami to the islands of Virginia Key and Key Biscayne. Miami-Dade County retained OTHON to perform a visual bridge inspection and develop a bridge condition assessment with recommendations for any necessary repairs. OTHON also assisted the County in obtaining all of the necessary permits required for the coastal construction. This involved coordinating with the County’s Department of Environmental Resources Management and the State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection to obtain Class I permits for bridges and roadway construction in Biscayne Bay, whose tidal waters are home to a number of endangered species including manatees, sea turtles, American crocodiles, and seagrass. In addition to federally threatened and endangered species, permits also addressed sovereign submerged land authorizations and easements. Other agency coordination provided by OTHON involved the US Army Corps of Engineers, and US Fish & Wildlife Service.

OTHON's Scope

• Performed a visual bridge inspection and develop a bridge condition assessment
• Developed a cathodic protection system and prepared plans, specifications and estimate for repairs to bridges and structures
• Repairs included renovation and replacement of existing fender and dolphin systems