The Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) State Road A1A improvement program completed the final section of the Timucuan Trail that runs between Big Talbot Island Park and Little Talbot Island in Jacksonville, FL. Part of FDOT’s Shared-Use Non-motorize (SUN) Trail network, this section of SR A1A is also a popular route for commuting and recreation despite lacking a connection to the 18-mile trailhead that courses through nearby state parks and protected wetlands.
STV served as the lead designer for this program, which included the replacement of two bridges and the development of a new trail section. The team incorporated the innovative Florida Slab Beams technique into its design for the replacement of the two bridges. These precast, prestressed flat slab beams allow bridge profiles to be significantly lowered, reducing environmental impact to the tidal salt marches. They are now widely used by FDOT for short-span bridges, but at the time of STV’s design, they were not yet standard practice. STV coordinated directly with FDOT to approve the implementation of this unique design.
STV’s design earned the team an Outstanding Special Project Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Florida.
