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Harbor Bridge team briefs commissioners on construction progress and North Beach traffic concerns
Summary
Contractor Flatiron Dragados and lead designer FIGG presented a construction update on the new Harbor Bridge, reporting progress on precast segment casting and approach piling while TxDOThas paused main-span work and seeks a new main-span designer; commissioners requested traffic-study documents and urged continued public outreach.
Representatives from Flatiron Dragados and FIGG provided a detailed update to the Nueces County Commissioners Court on Feb. 26 about the Harbor Bridge construction and community impacts. FIGG's Linda Figg opened by summarizing her firm's design experience; Flatiron's presentation outlined progress on precast segment production, piling and roadworks and explained that the main span is currently paused.
Flatiron reported 1,255 segments cast at the precast yard (of approximately 26,100 planned), 380 delivered and more than 350 installed; the north approach piling was roughly 86% complete and 20 of 42 north-side spans had been set using the gantry crane. On the south approach the contractor reported about 73% of piling and 40% of footings complete. The main pylon height is 538 feet and navigational clearance is 205 feet.
Commissioners asked about a TxDOT notice restricting FIGG from doing future work on the main span; Flatiron clarified that FIGG remains engaged on the approaches and roadworks but that TxDOT will recommend the main-span designer/engineer-of-record. Commissioner questions and public comments focused heavily on North Beach ingress and egress, ramp geometry, and whether an additional exit is feasible. Flatiron said the geometry and required grades and weave distances limit the ability to add another exit at the north approach; the contractor pointed to a 2012--2014 schematic traffic study used at bid time and noted TxDOT produced the initial traffic analysis.
Judge Canales urged the TxDOT team in the room to provide the 2016 traffic study (the judge said a July 4th 2016 study exists) and to work with the county to consider whether a supplemental traffic study is warranted because recent changes (a potential navigable canal project at North Beach) could alter baseline assumptions. Flatiron said it will continue community outreach, traffic advisories and school tours of the precast yard as the project proceeds.
