Skanska's Florida bridge project shut down after construction barges slam into spans during Hurricane Sally | Dump Trucks Charlotte NC

Skanska USA's Civil Southeast division is leading construction of the structure, also known as Three Mile Bridge. 
• FDOT experts are assessing the entire bridge, including the underwater substructure, and have thus far determined that five of the bridge's 105 spans are damaged beyond repair and will have to be replaced. The FDOT is still assessing the extent of damage and formulating a plan for necessary repairs to other areas of the bridge. 
• After its examination is complete, the FDOT will shore up the bridge so that demolition of the five spans can begin. The bridge will remain closed to traffic “for an extended period of time" while reconstruction and major repairs are carried out. Minor repairs are planned for after the bridge is reopened to traffic. 

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Skanska started construction of the nearly 3-mile-long bridge in 2017, and the eventual eastbound span opened in 2019. Until the new, permanent westbound span opens in 2021, both westbound and eastbound traffic have been using the now-damaged completed span. 

While Skanska did not share with Construction Dive exactly how many barges broke loose during last week's hurricane, one barge with a crane atop it reportedly did major damage to the Pensacola Bay Bridge, while others washed up in various other locations, including against another bridge that is being used as an alternate route while the Pensacola Bay Bridge is closed. Other barges have also washed up on private property.

Skanska sent Construction Dive the following statement, saying that it is focusing its efforts on the recovery:

"Skanska remains dedicated to the ongoing restoration of the Three Mile Bridge and the recovery of the community at large — including the safe and prompt retrieval of our construction barges. Skanska is in contact with those who have had our barges run ashore on their property. We have dispatched a community outreach team and insurance claims specialists who will be meeting personally with each homeowner in the coming days and will guide them throughout the barge retrieval and insurance process. 

"Each barge is a unique recovery operation. We are working with engineers and marine recovery experts to determine how to safely remove each barge while minimizing further disruption to both the homeowner and their neighbors."