Breaking news: collapsed FIU bridge set to be rebuilt in October

Gabriella Mateo | Staff Writer

Six years ago, a pedestrian bridge built by FIU collapsed and killed six people, including university student Alexa Duran. At long last, the bridge is finally undergoing reconstruction.

“Construction is set to begin October 8, 2024,” said FIU’s Associate Vice President of Media Relations Maydel Santana. However, according to FIU, construction was to begin in early 2024 at the latest.

The cause for delay was due to a “lengthy competitive solicitation process” as well as the need for an additional $2 million dollars – sourced from auxiliary, not tuition funds. 

“The day of the collapse was one of the saddest days in FIU history that remains in our hearts and minds permanently,” said Santana in response to the difficulties FIU has faced during this process. “With the amount of growth that the City of Sweetwater has experienced in student housing developments, the need for a bridge so that students can safely cross SW 8th Street to campus is even more critical.”

To ensure pedestrian safety, the new bridge is said to have “multiple structural redundancies.” Additionally, the road will be closed during construction hours. 

The design engineer for the new bridge is said to be BBC Engineering, a company that prides itself on hiring FIU graduates.

The builder is DeMoya Highway Infrastructure, who has worked on the Palmetto Expressway and the Turnpike, as well as Hurricane Ian emergency repairs. In the process, the remaining pylon across from FIU will be destroyed to make way for the new bridge. 

The FDOT will hold the Pre-Construction Conference on September 18, 2024 at 10:00am at the FDOT District Six Auditorium located at 1000 NW 111^th Avenue, Miami, Fl.

Additionally, there is an FDOT public meeting on September 19, 2024 at Jorge Ronselli Park in Sweetwater starting at 6:30pm where the safety and maintenance of traffic components and construction timeline will be presented. All members of the community are encouraged to attend. 

University president Kenneth Jessell, who was the CFO during the collapse, remains involved in the project, and FIU and the City of Sweetwater have been working together with the Florida Department of Transportation team to ensure that this project gets completed.