205: S.R. 97 Bridge Replacement at Little Pine Barren Creek

The bridge at Little Pine Barren Creek, in the northern part of Escambia County, Florida, was built in 1941. It is a 5-span 75-foot bridge. According to the National Bridge Index, the bridge is classified as structurally deficient by receiving a rating of “4” for its substructure and has a sufficiency rating of 32.6. The existing bridge carries two 12-foot lanes with no shoulders and raised curbs that support non-crash-tested posts and rail-type barriers. Little Pine Barren Creek Bridge serves as a hurricane evacuation route by occupants in the surrounding gulf regions, which means the route must always remain accessible.

We redesigned the bridge in a cost-effective manner and minimizing impacts to the surrounding environment and community, while replacing the structurally deficient bridge to maintain travel access. To meet all the design goals, decided on a cast-place flat slab bridge design that will increase the length of the bridge to 90 ft. The flat slab design will reduce the number of substructure units in the crossing; thus, improving its hydraulic characteristics at the opening and lower cost of construction. The width of the bridge is extended to 47 ft, including two 12-foot travel lanes along with 10-foot shoulders and F-shaped traffic railings. 

Constructing the new bridge safely and in a cost-effective manner ensures that the hurricane evacuation route stays open.