The team replacing the FM 457  Swing Bridge over the Gulf Intercoastal Waterway faced hurdles ranging from active vessel traffic to erratic weather to limited space for heavy lifts. Daily troubleshooting helped push the $41.2-million, 27-month project forward. 

A detailed logistics plan, crane mats and truck mats helped the team overcome the challenges of the site’s soft soils. The tight space hindered the movement of large cranes, making heavy lifts more complex. 

Photo by ABR / Molly Pope Aero Photo

The new bridge provides a 75-ft vertical clearance over the waterway and uses a corkscrew configuration to get traffic onto the bridge.