MacArthur Pedestrian Bridge Update from MB Office of Capitol Improvement

SoBe West leadership (Board Members Tim Carr, Stephan Ginez, Jay Newman) met today with City of MB Office of Capitol Improvement Projects Director David Gomez, City of MB Miami Beach Development & Resiliency Officer Rogelio Madan, City of MB Public Works Director John Norris, and MB Commissioner Laura regarding the MacArthur Pedestrian Bridge Project and other issues impacting our residents.

The pedestrian bridge project was most recently delayed due to improper or erroneous identification of underground utilities by Florida Power and Light (FPL), as a result of the depth of their lines and high water table.  In fact, FPL has identified the location of their underground utilities on three separate occasions.  Despite best efforts, while pre-drilling for the installation of foundations, the developer’s contractor hit what we believe to be an FPL line. 

Due to the uncertainty of the location of the utilities, and its significance in terms of services to Miami Beach, the City, the developer and FPL have been engaged in a series of meetings and discussions centered on determining the location and depth of FPL’s underground utilities at the location of the proposed bridge.  

In an unprecedented decision, in pursuit of good partnership and corporate cooperation, FPL has agreed to excavate and locate their underground utilities.  This type of work is typically performed by the contractor at their cost.  However, given the nature of the project, FPL will be performing the work and assuming the costs. 

At this time, FPL has obtained necessary permits from FDOT and City of MB to perform the excavation/exploratory work, and have submitted a de-watering permit revision to MB Department of Environmental Resources and Management (DERM).  This week, they will commence work by passing an electronic transmitter through the electrical conduit, marking the utility’s location.  Once the permit is approved, they will commence the excavation to better determine the utility’s vertical location.  This approach will allow FPL to provide reasonable assurance as to the location of their underground utilities.  With that information, the developer will be able to determine what changes will need to be made, if any, to the proposed foundation plans. 

FPL estimates that the work will take approximately two weeks to complete, once DERM approves the de-watering permit.  Since this is a modification to an existing permit, and this type of permit does not include discharge to a body of water, the permit review period should be relatively short.