Technical Description:
• 2 - 42' x 13' x 40' CON/SPAN
® B-Series Bridge System
• Dan Marino Blvd: 152' x 14' Continental
® Gateway® Pedestrian Truss
• Florida Turnpike: 207' x 14' Continental
® Gateway® Pedestrian Truss
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In preparation for hosting the 2020 NFL Super Bowl, pedestrian improvements needed to be accomplished at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida as quickly as possible. Home to the NFL Miami Dolphins and the University of Miami Hurricanes football team, the project was released for bid in February 2018 as a Design-Build project. After teams were short listed, Condotte America (CA) was selected as the final Design-Build team in August 2018. Contech Engineered Solutions worked with CA throughout the evaluation process, providing support as necessary as well as four pedestrian crossing structures.
"During the pursuit of the Hard Rock Stadium project, it was clear that this was a high-profile project with a very aggressive schedule," explained Mike Nash, Pursuits Manager, with CA. "In order to meet the needs of the project, CA turned to Contech to design and fabricate both steel truss bridges and precast tunnel segments."
The project required two pedestrian tunnels with stairwells at different gates to allow fans to cross safely under Stadium Loop Road without stopping vehicular traffic. Two 42' x 13' CON/SPAN® B-Series Bridge Systems, 40' in length, were selected as the best solutions.
Additionally, two pedestrian overpasses were needed to allow fans safe passage across roadways to remote parking lots. A 152' x 14' Continental® Gateway®-style Pedestrian Truss was installed over Dan Marino Boulevard and a 207' x 14' Continental® Gateway®-style Pedestrian Truss was installed over the Florida Turnpike's exit ramp. Both truss structures were painted "Dolphin White" and completed with concrete decking.
The biggest, and most obvious, challenge of this project was the aggressive design and build schedule. It was imperative that the project be completed in time for the Miami Dolphins' opening game in Fall 2019. In order to meet the challenge, preliminary drawings and analysis were completed during the evaluation period. Full scale design did not begin until the end of October 2018, leaving less than seven months to complete the design, obtain approvals, fabricate, produce and install the structures. Utilizing precast components for the tunnels and the retaining wall system used to create the enclosed stairwells significantly reduced construction time versus a cast-in-place option.
"Contech provided designs for both the CON/SPAN tunnels and the Continental truss bridges," said Brenton Daily, P.E., Structural Engineer, Principal, with Bentley Architects + Engineers, Inc. "Contech's engineers and designers were responsive and timely from concept, to design and all the way through construction. Due to the project schedule, it was imperative that the tunnel and bridge structures were designed and fabricated accurately and on time, and Contech did not disappoint. It was a pleasure to work with the Contech staff. They were a huge part of this project's success and we look forward to many future teaming opportunities."
Installation of the four pedestrian crossing structures was staggered so that other infrastructure improvements such as ramps to the pedestrian overpass bridges, Stadium Loop Road over the tunnels, and sidewalks and other ingress and egress improvements were completed.
"The fast track Design-Build project had a mandatory completion date to ensure that it was ready for Super Bowl LIV. With teamwork and strong partnering commitment, the project was truly a great success," concluded Nash.
Technical Description:
• 2 - 42' x 13' x 40' CON/SPAN
® B-Series Bridge System
• Dan Marino Blvd: 152' x 14' Continental
® Gateway® Pedestrian Truss
• Florida Turnpike: 207' x 14' Continental
® Gateway® Pedestrian Truss
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