TranSystems performed a comprehensive inspection of the Loxahatchee Moveable Bridge and provided recommendations for components requiring rehabilitation or replacement. That work was completed in partnership with Brightline’s management team and in coordination with Florida East Coast Railway (FECR). While Brightline focused on design and construction activities for their Phase I opening between West Palm Beach and Miami, the planned rehabilitation work was paused, and development of design plans was put on hold.
Three years later, when the design hold was released, Brightline, FECR, and TranSystems revisited the bridge and it was determined that the entire superstructure should be replaced. TranSystems served as designer for the fixed and movable span design of structural, mechanical, and electrical systems. After the superstructure design was complete and the structural steel fabricated, the decision was made to replace the approach span substructures, reusing only the original abutments, bascule pier, and rest pier. TranSystems prepared a second set of plans for this work that re-used the already fabricated steel beams with minimal modification and designed approach piers that could be constructed with little impact to FECR’s regular train schedule. The project restored the bridge to double-track operation, increasing capacity to accommodate Brightline’s passenger rail service.
