Florida Ave. Bridge

The Florida Avenue Bridge, a prominent landmark along the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal, required a critical upgrade to enhance its shoreline protection. Design Engineering, Inc. (DEI) was entrusted with the design, construction management, and resident inspection services for essential erosion protection improvements along the Northwest wall of the bridge.

Our project entailed constructing two new sheet pile walls, extending 145 feet and 180 feet, respectively, adjacent to the Florida Avenue Bridge. These structures were meticulously designed to integrate seamlessly with the existing concrete “T” wall north of the railroad swing bridge and the flood wall near the Entergy transmission tower. To address drainage challenges, our design featured a drainage penetration and subsurface system to manage the impoundment area created by the new sheet pile wall.

Our innovative approach included advanced drainage systems to effectively manage water flow and prevent future erosion. Construction tasks involved clearing and grubbing along the proposed alignment, demolishing the outdated L-wall, and installing modern elements such as neoprene water stops. Additionally, we filled the gap between the new sheet pile wall and the existing concrete L-wall with flowable fill material and crushed stone to enhance the structure’s durability.

Our team skillfully managed various aspects of the project, from assessing and addressing structural issues to providing detailed repair recommendations. This included comprehensive site assessments, offering repair solutions, and preparing construction cost estimates for issues such as damage to concrete girders, cracks in concrete risers, and misalignment problems. Our detailed assessments involved visual inspections, documenting damage, and providing preliminary cost estimates for repairs, ensuring the successful design and execution of the project.