Bear Cut Bridge Project Development and Environment (PD&E) Study

The Bear Cut Bridge, part of County Road 913/Rickenbacker Causeway, is a critical connection between the Village of Key Biscayne (Village) and Virginia Key within the City of Miami. As the only mainland access point for the Village and a designated emergency evacuation route, the bridge plays a vital role in regional transportation. This project, spanning 1.1 miles from Arthur Lamb Jr. Road to Crandon Marina Access Road, aims to evaluate potential rehabilitation and/or replacement options for the bridge.

Bridge History and Structural Condition

Originally constructed in 1944, the Bear Cut Bridge has undergone multiple rehabilitations over the years. It was widened in 1983 and later rehabilitated in 2014 with modified AASHTO Type I Beams, replacing the original steel I-Beams. In 2022, an FDOT Load Rating Report identified distress and corrosion in the 1983 installed beams, recommending a 20-ton load limit. A subsequent 2023 repair project addressed these structural concerns, preventing the need for load restrictions by restoring spalled concrete, reinforcing piles, repairing the bulkhead and bearings, fixing damage beams, and improving deck expansion joints.

Despite these repairs, in June 2024, FDOT assigned the bridge a Sufficiency Rating of 37.3 out of 100, indicating structural deficiencies that may qualify the bridge for replacement.

Proposed Project Improvements

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the major rehabilitation and/or replacement of the existing Rickenbacker Causeway Bear Cut Bridge (Bridge No. 874544). No-build (repair), build, and rehabilitation alternatives will be evaluated during the PD&E study. In addition, alternate alignments parallel to the existing bridge, as well as alternate vertical alignments and structure types. Wider shoulders, and enhanced bicycle and pedestrian facilities are also to be considered with the improvements. The project will also include traffic operations and safety enhancements along the study corridor.

Schedule

The PD&E Study started in October 2024 and is expected to be completed by March 2027. The Design Phase will begin after the PD&E Study is completed. Public involvement will continue throughout the PD&E Study and the public is encouraged to participate in the development of this project.

For questions regarding the Bear Cut Bridge, please write to [email protected].