STV’s team that designed the replacement of two bridges and a new trail along a scenic section of Florida’s State Road A1A won the Outstanding Special Project Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Florida.

The project completes the final section of the Timucuan Trail that runs along SR A1A between Big Talbot Island State Park to Little Talbot Island in Jacksonville. Part of the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) Shared-Use Non-motorize (SUN) Trail network, this section of SR A1A is a popular route for commuting and recreation but lacked a connection to the 18-mile trailhead that courses through nearby state parks and protected wetlands.

“The existing structures that crossed Simpson and Myrtle Creeks were also structurally deficient,” said Wes Markham, PE, an engineering director at STV. “As a vital evacuation route and commuter corridor, this section of SR A1A and Timucuan Trail can now safely carry traffic and bicyclists and pedestrians.”

As lead designer for the project, STV incorporated the innovative Florida Slab Beam (FSB) technique into its design for the bridges’ replacement. These precast, prestressed flat slab beams are now widely used by FDOT for short-span bridges, but at the time of STV’s design, FSBs were not yet standard practice. STV coordinated with FDOT for approval to implement the design. The beams allow bridge profiles to be significantly lowered, reducing environmental impact to the tidal salt marshes.

“Combined with a temporary traffic control plan, the FSB design provided significant cost savings to the client, while also minimizing delays for commuters during construction,” Markham said.

Markham represented STV at the ACEC FL awards ceremony in June, alongside FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue and representatives from Parsons Corporation, who served as Construction Engineering & Inspection (CEI) consultants on the project.

The widened roadway now features bridge shoulders and separate shared-use paths, providing a safe crossing for bicyclists and pedestrians.

“If you’ve never driven State Road A1A through North Florida, it’s one of the most scenic routes through our tidal salt marshes and barrier islands,” said J. Keith Jackson, PE, vice president of our Florida Transportation group. “This area is well traveled and well loved by locals and visitors alike. Protecting the area’s natural beauty while delivering resilient, functional bridges and a multimodal trail were our top priorities.”