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County updates on Duck Key bridge projects; board authorizes negotiation with new contractor for CV Bridge
Summary
County staff told commissioners a bond-backed contractor proposal would allow restart of the Court Village (CV) Bridge replacement, reported Harbor Bridge precast-beam delays, and said Bimini Bridge work is closed out. The board authorized staff to negotiate and, if necessary, allow the county administrator to execute a contract with Southern Road
Monroe County staff reported progress and remaining challenges on three Duck Key bridge projects and received board approval to negotiate directly with a replacement contractor for the Court Village (CV) bridge.
Staff reported that the county terminated the original CV Bridge contractor after defaults and has been negotiating with the contractor’s surety to finish the work. The surety provided a proposal from Southern Road & Bridge for $8,100,000 to complete the project; staff indicated the original contract had about $3,000,000 remaining and that the bond proceeds, minus any amounts already paid by the surety (such as equipment rentals), could cover the higher total. Staff asked the board to authorize negotiation with Southern Road & Bridge and, if a contract is finalized before the next meeting, to allow the county administrator to execute the contract and then ratify that action at the subsequent meeting. Commissioner Raschein moved approval; Commissioner Lincoln seconded; the motion passed.
On Harbor Bridge work, staff said the contractor has completed preparatory work but is awaiting delivery of precast arch beams from a casting yard in Tampa. The beams are longer than those used at Bimini (staff said the Harbor beams are about 15 feet longer), require special transport permits from FDOT and careful routing; delivery may require matting and temporary road closures. Staff said the contractor will request a time-extension change order: 35 days total, including seven days for hurricanes and additional days for unforeseen subsurface conditions; the contract's new completion date would be April 15, 2025, and the contractor’s own schedule estimates physical completion July 11, 2025, assuming beam delivery occurs within weeks.
Staff also said Bimini Bridge work is fully closed out.
Why it matters: The CV Bridge remains the highest near-term priority because traffic signals and temporary controls impose recurring costs; reaching a negotiated contract with the surety and a reliable contractor would allow work to resume without further long delay. The Harbor Bridge delay is logistical and schedule-related; the county plans change orders to align completion dates.
Staff will negotiate with Southern Road & Bridge and return executed contracts or ratifications to the board, and will provide advance notice to communities before any major transport or road closure associated with beam deliveries.
