• Client: FDOT District 2

• Provided hands on inspection of large complex structures
• Used rope climbing and rappelling techniques to access areas and reduce lane closures
• Maintained very aggressive inspection schedule
• Generated detailed comprehensive report with repair recommendations
• Completed on time and on budget

KCA provides in-depth bridge inspection services for large complex state owned structures throughout Florida’s second district. These structures include large through trusses, suspension bridges cable stay bridges and tied arches along with bascule and vertical lift movable bridges. The primary focus of these high profile complex structures is the bridges that cross the St. Johns River in Jacksonville, Florida. These large structures have structure lengths up to 10,646 ft. with main spans up to 1,300 ft. and average daily traffic counts up to 138,500 vehicles. Due to the commercial and military shipping along this river these structures are located at a height of up to 160 ft. above the river.

KCA provided hands on inspection for these structures which required special access. Some of the special access utilized for these inspections was special rope climbing and rappelling techniques, vertical lift buckets up to 120 ft and under bridge inspection vehicles “Snooper Trucks”.

Many challenges were met and exceeded by KCA to accomplish these inspections. As the Prime Consultant KCA provided all project coordination to accomplish these inspections which at times included the timely and orchestrated coordination of up to eight sub consultant and vendors. Work times and work zones were greatly hindered by the heavy volume of traffic in this densely populated urban area. In order to reduce the burden on the motoring public KCA used rope climbing techniques to reach areas of these bridges whenever possible. The demanding schedule required KCA to accomplish the inspection of three of these large structures within a 5 month period. Each inspection had to be followed by a detailed finalized comprehensive inspection report within 45 days.

KCA is proud to say that due to the great success of the inspection of these structures for the 2004 – 2006 inspection cycle the Florida Department of Transportation, District 2 extended KCA’s contract through the 2006 – 2008 inspection cycle.