R.J. Behar & Company Inc. - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Information L/" EN To Build On Engt • ro=LdaV • T�ffng 0 Port of Miami Tunnel Project - Miami -Dade County, Florida PSI provided geotechnical engineering services for the Port of Miami Tunnel project in Miami - Dade County, Florida. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District 6 completed a PD &E study of a four -lane tunnel connection from Watson Island to the Port of Miami that will provide direct access between the Port of Miami and 1 -395 via MacArthur Causeway. This PD &E study was reviewed by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and they determined that construction of this bored tunnel connection would not have any significant impact on the human environment. Thus, on December 13, 2000, FHWA issued a Finding of No Significant Impact for the project. Following the issuance of the EA/FONSI by FHWA, this project was transferred to the jurisdiction of Florida's Turnpike Enterprise. In 2005, the project was transferred from the Florida's Turnpike Enterprise back into the jurisdiction of FDOT District 6. Since the completion of the PD &E Study and receipt of the FONSI, many changes have occurred, specifically with new development on Watson Island. Before proceeding with further work based upon the approved FONSI documents, the Turnpike Enterprise decided that it was prudent to re- evaluate the previous PD &E Study. The Turnpike Enterprise has therefore, selected Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade & Douglas, Inc., as their Owner's Representative, for the re- evaluation of the PD &E study for the Port of Miami tunnel. The general objective is to develop a cost effective program to link the Port of Miami with the ® Interstate system, thereby improving the passenger and cargo movement to and from the Port, alleviating the traffic congestion and pollution in the Miami Central Business District (CBD), and allowing the growth of the Port with positive socioeconomic impacts on the region. The project consists of a depressed roadway and tunnel between Watson Island and Dodge Island beneath the Government Cut main channel in Biscayne Bay, to provide improved access for cargo and passenger vehicles destined for the Port of Miami. The project is designed to divert trucks and busses carrying cruise passengers directly off I -395 (MacArthur Causeway) through this dedicated roadway directly into the Port. The plan takes heavy traffic off the streets of Miami, thereby eliminating a source of congestion. Currently, the project calls for two lanes inbound and two lanes outbound. The bored tunneling option has been considered below the Main Channel. Cut and cover methods are being evaluated for the landside portions of the project. PSI's services included a geotechnical study to obtain data regarding the general subsurface conditions near the proposed alignments by means of exploratory borings, as well as laboratory testing of the collected soil and rock samples. The laboratory testing was conducted for classification purposes and to provide pertinent engineering characteristics for this study. Role: Geotechnical Engineering Services Dates: August 2003 to on -going Client: Mr. Eldon Abott, PE, Parson Brinckerhoff Quade & Douglas, Inc. 11 RFQ No. 14 -07 -02 1 Page 12.66