More than 6 years after a deadly bridge collapse, work has begun on a new bridge at Florida International University
More than six years after a deadly pedestrian bridge collapse at Florida International University in Miami, work has begun on a bridge to replace it.
CBS News reports that workers hope to have the project finished by fall 2026.
The collapse of the original bridge, which was under construction, killed six people on March 15, 2018. The bridge was being built so that walkers and cyclists could avoid vehicular traffic and cross a busy eight-lane street more safely.
After a lengthy investigation, the National Transportation and Safety Board concluded the design firm underestimated the load of the bridge and overestimated its strength in a critical section that splintered.
Manny Espinal, an engineer with Florida Department of Transportation, says the new bridge will be made of steel with cable supports; the previous bridge was concrete.
Funding for the $38 million bridge comes from the federal government, the state of Florida and a federal transportation grant assigned by the university to the state's transportation department.
