Breaking News: BOT Approved Second Pedestrian Bridge Project

Valentina Palm and Jordan Coll/ PantherNOW Staff 

FIU is moving forward with the construction of a second pedestrian bridge. This time, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will oversee the entire project. 

The FIU Board of Trustees (BOT) approved today an agreement to transfer $9.12 million to the FDOT for the design and construction of a pedestrian bridge on SW 8th street where the original bridge fell three years ago. 

“The governor released the hold on the TIGER grant so that the funds could be used for a new pedestrian bridge,” said Kenneth Jessell, FIU’s Chief Financial Officer, in the BOT meeting.

On March 15, 2018, the FIU pedestrian bridge collapsed around 1:46 p.m., resulting in the death of six people including university student Alexa Duran. A recent report released by the National Road Safety Commission revealed the original contractors made calculation errors in the design of the bridge that led to its collapse.

Jessell said Governor Ron DeSantis indicated the FDOT will oversee the design, construction and administration of the new pedestrian bridge. 

The U.S. The Department of Transportation approved to amend the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery, (TIGER) grant agreement it has with FIU for the department to take on all responsibilities related to the bridge, according to Jessell.

The university will no longer be a part of the agreement.

Where are the $9 million coming from?

The university will fund most of the project with $8.5 million from the settlement it received from the bridge collapse, $560,000 of its own unmatched funds, and $5,560 from the City of Sweetwater.

Jessell said the university may be required to give additional funding to cover project costs due to unknown conditions or to comply with applicable laws and regulations. 

This story will be updated as PantherNOW receives more information.

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