In Merritt Island, Florida, the Sea Ray Drive Bridge replacement project is a testament to resilience and innovation. Managed by SEMA Construction, Inc., this significant infrastructure initiative aims to replace the existing bridge over Sykes Creek, which was severely damaged during Hurricane Irma in 2017. The new bridge, a Florida I-beam structure, promises enhanced durability and safety for the local community. Recently, SEMA completed the pile portion of the project, marking a significant milestone. With an estimated total cost of $9 million, this effort is part of Brevard County's broader mission to maintain and upgrade its infrastructure, ensuring reliability and safety for its residents.

SEMA Construction, Inc. (SEMA) is a full-service firm based in Centennial, Colorado, and was founded in 1991 by Thomas G. Ames. Known for its expertise in heavy civil construction and infrastructure projects, SEMA has taken on the challenge of replacing the Sea Ray Drive Bridge. Their role includes installing the crucial pile foundations, which involve driving piles deep into the ground to ensure the new bridge's stability and durability.

The project scope is ambitious, as the new bridge has been designed to withstand future weather events, providing a longer lifespan and improved safety for the community. This initiative is part of a larger effort to enhance infrastructure and mitigate the impact of future hurricanes.

For the pile foundation work, SEMA utilized an ICE® I-80V2 Diesel Hammer and an ICE® 28 Vibratory Hammer that they rented from their local Florida ICE® (International Construction Equipment, Inc.) Sales Representative. This advanced equipment is known for its efficiency and power, making it ideal for heavy marine construction projects like the Sea Ray Bridge. The ICE® 28 Vibratory Hammer played a crucial role in driving temporary 36" steel casing to facilitate the installation of their floating pile template before installing production piles in Sykes Creek. Additionally, the ICE® 28 Vibratory Hammer was utilized to extract the existing 18" piles from Sykes Creek, after the existing bridge was demolished and removed.

However, the project faced several challenges - a variability in soil conditions required careful geotechnical investigations to ensure the piles were driven into stable layers, the site's proximity to Sykes Creek required measures to protect local wildlife and minimize environmental disruption, and the bridge's location exposed it to strong and unpredictable water forces, such as waves and currents, demanding a robust foundation design.

Despite these challenges, the pile-driving process was highly efficient. The ICE® I-80V2 and ICE® 28 Vibratory Hammer significantly reduced the time required to drive piles and provided high penetration rates even in challenging soil conditions. This robust piece of equipment also features an energy-efficient system and a remote-control pendant that allows for precise control, improving accuracy and reducing errors. To ensure the foundation's stability and durability, SEMA used materials like steel piles and reinforced concrete, and scour protection materials like riprap or concrete mats - all of which were chosen for their strength and ability to withstand the marine environment's challenging conditions. Overall, the use of ICE® equipment contributed to a more efficient and streamlined pile-driving process, helping to keep the project on schedule and within budget.

Throughout the project, the construction team demonstrated quick problem-solving and adaptability, overcoming soil resistance and adverse weather conditions to keep the project on track. The Sea Ray Drive Bridge Replacement Project represents a critical infrastructure upgrade and showcases the resilience and ingenuity of modern construction techniques. ICE® applauds SEMA's work in improving safety and reliability for the Merritt Island community, ensuring better connectivity and resilience against future natural disasters.

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Media Contact-                  
Pollyanna Cunningham, MA, MBA                 
Vice President Marketing, Brand and Media Relations     
Vice President IT and IT Comm             
ICE® - International Construction Equipment, Inc                  
Office - 704-821-8200          Email - marketing@iceusa.com