Construction workers rebuilding major sections of freeway through the City of Miami recently began work on two significant components of the sprawling I-395/SR 836/I-95 Design-Build Project. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) says construction began on an MSE (Mechanically Stabilized Ea rth) wall designed to support the westbound roadway as it transitions from the MacArthur Causeway to the new elevated I-395 Signature Bridge. And last weekend crews completed a major concrete pour for the new double-decked SR 836 roadway just west of the Miami River. The operation used one concrete pump and about 60 concrete trucks to place 590 cubic yards of concrete – roughly 2.4 million pounds – as crews continue advancing construction of the new elevated roadway, according to FDOT. The $866 million project is a product of a partnership between FDOT and the Greater Miami Expressway Agency, and contractor, Archer Western – de Moya Group Joint Venture. The project includes a spider-like Signature Bridge over Northeast Second Avenue and Biscayne Boulevard, an upper deck of traffic built over State Road 836 and the Miami River, and the addition of one lane to the northbound entrance to I-95. The goal is to add capacity, enhance the flow of traffic and safety, and improve access along I-395, SR 836 and I-95. FDOT explained the purpose of the MSE wall. As westbound traffic approaches the Signature Bridge, the roadway transitions from a roadway supported on the ground to the elevated bridge structure supported by the arches and stay cables. The MSE wall helps make that transition by creating a strong, reinforced embankment that gradually raises the roadway to the bridge. The wall is constructed using concrete panels on the outside and layers of fill behind them. Reinforcing straps are attached to the concrete panels and extend back into the fill. As additional layers of fill and reinforcing straps are installed, they work together to strengthen and stabilize the embankment. Once completed, the MSE wall will support the westbound roadway as it transitions from the MacArthur Causeway onto the I-395 Signature Bridge. FDOT announced traffic pattern shifts for this week through Friday, Oct. 16, including the northbound I-95 ramp to westbound SR 836 will be closed between 10 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. Drivers can: ■Exit northbound I-95 at NW Second Street (Exit 2B). ■Continue west on NW Third Street, then turn right on NW North River Drive. ■Continue north on NW Seventh Avenue, then make a slight left onto NW Eighth Street. ■Turn left on NW 11th Street, then turn left on NW 12th Avenue. ■Turn right on NW Seventh Street and continue west to NW 17th Avenue. ■Turn right on NW 17th Avenue to access the westbound SR 836 entrance ramp. In addition, work this week through Oct. 16 has the southbound I-95 ramp to westbound SR 836 closed between 10 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. Drivers can: ■Exit at the NW 14th Street exit ramp and continue west on NW 14th Street. ■Turn left at NW 12th Avenue, then turn right on NW Seventh Street. ■Continue west on NW Seventh Street, turn right on NW 17th Avenue to access the SR 836 west ramp. The road agency reports these ongoing construction activities: ■All new concrete pavement has been completed from NE 17th to NW 29th streets, as well as along northbound I-95 from NW Eighth to NW 17th streets. ■To date, about 138 million pounds of concrete have been used to replace the existing pavement, enhancing safety and increasing the long-term durability of this heavily traveled corridor. ■Continued concrete pavement replacement along remaining sections of southbound I-95 between NW 17th and NW Eighth streets. ■Installation of Intelligent Transportation System devices along the corridor. ■Traffic railing retrofits on several bridges. Completion is expected in late 2029. The post Two major advances speed downtown’s Signature Bridge appeared first on Miami Today. ...read more read less