Swing bridge one step closer to completion

BY LIZA STROUT - Five companies came forward to place bids on the new swing bridge construction plan, with prices ranging from $17 to $24 million.

GIBA Executive Director James Cooper, Engineering Committee Chair Peter Strong and Paul Lindgardt of KCCS opened the bid packets that had been returned to the Authority.

The five bids were:

• GLF Constrction - $17,874,503.13

• PCL Civil Constructors ­– $24,234,334.33

• Superior Construction - $20,069,044.08

• Orion Marine Group - $18,755,860.95

• American Bridge - $20,402,701.90

These amounts do not include a $2 million contigency that GIBA has factored in for any changes to the design.

There were originally eight companies that qualified to bid on the project.

After the public meeting, board members remained behind to examine the bids in detail and discuss the bidding for the CEI, or construction engineering and inspection, the oversight for the swing bridge replacement project.

On Tuesday, Oct. 30, the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority gave islanders one more chance to see the final plans and ask any questions they have about the new swing bridge that is planned for the Boca Grande Causeway.

Henri Sinson, PE of Hardesty and Hanover explained some of the features of the new structure to curious community members, including the use of four-foot shoulders to allow emergency vehicles access 24/7, a maintenence walkway for GIBA staff, so that they do not have to walk in the roadway to reach the tender house, and the traffic gates which will prevent vehicles from going into the water. Those in attendance were also shown a short video demonstrating how the two bridges will move together to open for the period that both are present.

The GIBA quarterly meeting is on Friday, Nov. 2 at 1:30 p.m. in the Boca Grande Community Center Woman’s Club Room, and there will be a special board meeting on Thursday, November 15 at 1:30 p.m., also in the Woman’s Club Room. The bids will be discussed then.