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1. What is the purpose of this project?
2. Why is it necessary?
3. What is a Design/Build project?
4. What will the project cost?
5. When will it be completed?
6. Will the bridge still accommodate marine traffic?
7. Can pedestrians and cyclists use the new bridge?
8. What impacts will there be to the environment?
9. What impacts will there be to the existing parks and recreation facilities in the area?
10. What are you doing to preserve the history of the bridge?
11. Who was A. Max Brewer?
1. What is the purpose of this project?
The Florida Department of Transportation plans to replace the existing A. Max Brewer Bridge over the Indian River with a new high-level, fixed-span bridge. The South Relief Bridge will also be replaced as part of this project. The new high-level bridge will be approximately 3,200 feet long with two 12-foot travel lanes, eight-foot outside shoulders and five-foot sidewalks on each side.
2. Why is it necessary?
Bridge inspections have indicated that the South Relief Bridge and A. Max Brewer Bridge are in poor condition. Specific deficiencies include a lack of shoulders and inadequate pedestrian and bicycle facilities. Due to its age and the salt-water environment, the swing-span portion of the main bridge has sustained severe corrosion, and its mechanical and electrical components are in very poor condition.
3. What is a Design/Build project?
The FDOT selected the Design/Build team of Lane Construction Corporation, the contractor, and DRMP, the design firm on this project. Parsons Brinckerhoff serves as the construction engineering and inspection firm, ensuring the project is built according to plans, on time and within budget.
The Design/Build format holds the contractor-led team responsible for both the way the bridge is designed and built. The intention of this project format is to greatly increase accountability and to decrease the likelihood of costly contractor claims. The Design/Build team will be responsible for quality, innovation, protection of existing resources, safety, cost and schedule.
This process also works to expedite completion of the project, since some work could begin while the design was being finalized. The plans for this project were 90 percent complete in May 2009.
4. What will the project cost?
The cost to replace the bridges and to make other associated improvements is $44.75 million. The total cost includes final design/engineering, construction and permits. No right of way acquisition was needed for this project.
5. When will it be completed?
Construction of the new bridge is slated to finish in spring 2011. The existing bridge should be removed by summer 2011.
6. Will the bridge still accommodate marine traffic?
Yes. The new bridge will be designed and built as a high-level, fixed-span bridge that can accommodate marine vessels up to 65 feet above sea level without disrupting traffic on the roadway. This will provide a benefit to the community by eliminating the travel delays associated with the numerous daily bridge openings.
7. Can pedestrians and cyclists use the new bridge?
Yes. The new bridge will include a five-foot sidewalk on each side to accommodate pedestrian traffic. The sidewalks will meet ADA criteria. Although there is not a designated bike lane, the bridge will accommodate bicycles along the 8-foot wide shoulders.
8. What impacts will there be to the environment?
The Florida Department of Transportation has worked closely with federal, state and local regulatory agencies to minimize impacts to the environment, and to effectively mitigate for any impacts that might occur.
Mitigation for unavoidable wetland impacts will be consistent with federal regulations and state statutes. Manatee protection provisions will be followed during the demolition of the existing bridge and construction of the replacement bridge in accordance with federal, state and local criteria and regulations.
9. What impacts will there be to the existing parks and recreation facilities in the area?
The area surrounding the A. Max Brewer Bridge project is rich with parks and natural ecotourism sites. The FDOT is working to minimize impacts to recreational areas. However, areas under the south side of the bridge frequented by fishing enthusiasts and others must be temporarily removed in June 2009 to allow construction to proceed. Work also has required permanently removing the parking and pavilions on the southeast side of the bridge. Parking, pavilions and boat ramps on the northwest and northeast sides of the bridge will remain in tact.
10. What are you doing to preserve the history of the bridge?
A display will be placed in Sand Point Park after the existing bridge is demolished. This display will include photographs of the A. Max Brewer Bridge and the former Walker Bridge, which was built in 1922 at approximately the same location as the A. Max Brewer Bridge. The display will also include narrative descriptions, which will explain the history and significance of both former bridges. The city of Titusville will provide an area within Sand Point Park for the historic display.
Additionally, a documentary video has been produced that presents the history of the A. Max Brewer Bridge and the former Walker Bridge. The video includes historical photographs and narrative accounts of the bridges, their engineering significance, and contributions to the developmental history of the area. Interviews with local residents were an integral part of this video.
11. Who was A. Max Brewer?
 According to research done by the North Brevard Historical Society, Albert "Max" Brewer was a Titusville attorney in the 1950's and succeeded William Akridge as State Representative from Brevard County. In 1961 Gov. Bryant appointed Brewer to the State Road Board. In 1966 Brewer was killed when his private plane crashed. In 1983 the bridge was renamed the A. Max Brewer Bridge in his honor. Please click here to view a 1966 newspaper article about the plane crash and subsequent death of Albert Max Brewer.
When it was originally built in 1922 it was named the Indian River Bridge and soon after the Walker Bridge, after Major John Walker. In 1949, after the old wooden bridge was replaced with a concrete and steel bridge it was named after Roy E. Roberts, a former state representative and local citus grower and cattleman.
Please click here to view a 1922 newspaper article about the bridge and tolls originally collected. |
