Published On: Mon, Jun 10th, 2019

After Over a Year, Restoration of the Historic Camino Real Bridge is Just About Complete

By: Robert S Weinroth

The historic Camino Real bridge, officially the Clarence H. Geist Memorial Bridge, was  one of 14 bridges in South Florida branded “structurally deficient” by the state.

Palm Beach County Engineering and Public Works Division and its contractor, Kiewit Infrastructure South, Co., undertook a $9 million dollar rehabilitation of the bridge on April 12, 2018, Since then, Detour signs have directed drivers to use the Palmetto Park Road bridge.

After the removal of the steel coating system last July, an engineer’s assessment found heavy deterioration and severe section loss of the existing structural steel members that required additional repair procedures. As a result, the project was delayed an additional 3 months.

The newly restored bridge has a similar architectural design to its pre-restored condition (the same clearance height and a similar railing). A noticeable change is the bridge tender’s house has been moved to the north side of the bridge, and the width of the bridge is slightly wider, allowing bicyclists and pedestrians some extra room.

When the construction crews discovered heavy deterioration and severe loss of existing steel sections, additional repairs became necessary. Palm Beach County sought permission from the City of Boca Raton to work nights Mondays through Thursdays starting in November to complete the work by mid April. However, the city opted to deny night construction in favor of extending the bridge closure by 70 days, according the County Engineer David Ricks. The Board of County Commissioners authorized the additional expenditures necessitated by the extra days the construction required. Ultimately, the City approved night work starting in mid May.

Even after the bridge re-opens, to vehicle and pedestrian traffic, the contractor will still be working, according toe project administrator Andres Atehortua.

 

 

 

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