Accidents
Skanska Worker Dies in Struck-By Incident at Pensacola Bay Bridge
A day after the fatality, Florida DOT announced that contractors had completed installation of multiple stay-in-place forms and were placing and leveling the concrete deck.
Image by Florida Dept. of Transportation
A 61-year-old Skanska construction worker was fatally struck by a subcontractor dump truck at the Pensacola Bay Bridge project in Florida on April 28.
The victim was identified as Pensacola resident Mark Carter, a veteran of area construction projects who had worked for the company for the past year. His role on the project was not immediately provided.
Local police said the dump truck was hauling asphalt when it struck Carter, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to a Skanska statement, the incident occurred at the north end of the project, where the company is reconstructing an interchange with a flyover structure and roundabout as part of the overall $430-million bridge upgrade. The initial three-mile bay crossing, opened in 2019, has been out of service since sustaining damage by unmoored barges during Hurricane Sally in September 2020.
Skanska said the jobsite was secured and work temporarily suspended immediately after the incident.
“We are fully cooperating with local authorities and conducting an internal investigation,” the statement added. “We are also focused on providing support to our workers on the project.”
No charges have been filed against the dump truck driver, who has not been named.
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Meanwhile, work continues to complete all remaining bridge repairs by May 31. The Florida Dept. of Transportation’s original reopening target of late March was pushed back following the discovery of additional damage to the interior trophy piece at pier 70, which required full replacement as well as new beams and deck pouring.
FDOT announced on April 29 that contractors had completed installation of multiple stay-in-place forms and were placing and leveling the concrete deck. Remaining steps for reopening the bridge include construction of barrier walls in the rebuilt segment, installation of electrical conduit and roadway striping.
Construction of the parallel bay crossing, which resumed following the barge incident, is scheduled for completion in January 2022.
