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Chuck Vreeland
FDOT Project
Manager
Project Team
Ardaman and Associates,
Inc
Jones Wood And Gentry
Inc
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Existing
State Road 46 (SR 46) is a key component of Central
Florida’s transportation and evacuation system that traverses Lake, Seminole,
and Brevard Counties, with interchanges at I-4 and I-95. The existing SR 46 Lake
Jesup bridge provides system linkage in Seminole County and cuts across the
border of Volusia County. The existing two-lane, 483.5-foot long bridge
structure was constructed in 1951 and does not meet current design criteria for
travel lane widths, shoulder widths, and bridge railings. According to the
Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Maintenance Department, a recent
inspection of the existing bridge structure has deemed the facility as being in
need of severe repairs that do not warrant rehabilitation of the structure.
Therefore, ultimate replacement of the bridge would be most feasible.
Timing of Construction
FDOT has identified the SR 46 Lake Jesup Bridge
Replacement project (FM No. 240163) as a priority within the Central Florida’s
regional transportation network. Right-of-way acquisition is funded in Fiscal
Year 2005/2006. Bid openings for the design/build phase, which is also funded,
are expected to be received in Fiscal Year 2007.
Safety Benefits
During 1999,
six accidents occurred along SR 46 near the Lake
Jesup bridge, resulting in one fatality. Between the three-year period of 1997
and 1999, a total of 22 accidents were documented with approximately 27 injuries
and two fatalities.
The replacement of the SR 46 bridge over Lake Jesup will
greatly improve motorist safety by providing wider travel lanes and shoulders
along the bridge. This enhancement will enable emergency and/or disabled
vehicles to use the wider shoulders; thereby, avoiding the obstruction of travel
lanes. This improvement will not only enhance motorist safety, but also help to
reduce the number of potential traffic accidents. Refer to the SR 46 Lake
Jesup Bridge Replacement PD&E Study Preliminary Engineering Report (July
2003) for additional information regarding accident data.
Utilities
The existing utilities located within approximately 300
feet of the existing right-of-way were identified within the study limits.
Existing utility locations are summarized in the SR 46 Lake Jesup Bridge
Replacement PD&E Study Preliminary Engineering Report (August 2003).
Major utilities, including overhead electrical
transmission/distribution lines and overhead/buried cable lines, currently run
parallel to SR 46 and to the north of the existing bridge. Impacts to these
utilities were carefully evaluated when considering the proposed stormwater pond
locations.
A reclaimed water line currently attached to the existing
bridge will involve a relocation. The City of Sanford currently has a 16-inch
steel pipe attached to the north side of the existing bridge. This pipeline
provides reclaimed water to property currently owned by the City, just east of
the bridge. This line will need to be maintained in service during construction
and a replacement pipe will need to be installed on the proposed bridge
structure. Refer to the Preliminary Engineering Report (July 2003) for a
list of the utility contacts.
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