The FIU bridge that collapsed killed six. A new bridge will be much different
At the Florida International University ceremony Tuesday to unveil a memorial honoring the six people killed when a footbridge under construction suddenly collapsed four years ago, a Florida Department of Transportation official unveiled a plaque that the state will place on the new bridge once it’s constructed.
“To the families of these individuals: please accept my deepest condolences for your loss. I’m truly sorry for your loss, and I want you to know that they will always be remembered,” said Danny Iglesias, director of transportation development at FDOT.
The FIU memorial included a bronze statue of Alexa Duran, the only FIU student killed during the catastrophe four years ago, surrounded by five light posts representing the five other victims. She was 18.
“In addition to the wonderful tribute FIU has created, FDOT would also want to memorialize the lives that were lost on March 15, 2018,” Iglesias added.
Iglesias unveiled a rendering of a bronze plaque that FDOT will create with the names of the six people who died. Under each name and date of birth, family members of the victims contributed some words, Iglesias said, thanking them for the collaboration.
Under Navaro Brown, the worker killed from atop the bridge, the plaque will read: “A wonderful son, brother, and husband. We still feel your presence. You are forever in our hearts.”
Under Brandon Brownfield: “His passion for life was obvious to all. A loving husband, father, and son who was taken too soon. You are always in our hearts.”
FDOT will temporarily display the plaque somewhere by the scene of the tragedy, near Southwest Eighth Street and Southwest 109th Avenue. Once a new bridge is built, FDOT will transfer the plaque to the structure.
State plans to finish new bridge in 2025
After the bridge collapse, FDOT took over the construction of a new bridge, which will cost roughly $15.5 million.
In 2019, the National Transportation Safety Board concluded the bridge’s “catastrophic failure” stemmed from a flawed design and major errors. The NTSB castigated all the parties involved in the project — from FIU to FDOT to MCM, the bridge contractor that Miami-Dade commissioners allowed last year to retain its $70 million contract with Miami International Airport.
FDOT, the city of Sweetwater and FIU are covering the cost of constructing the new bridge, as well as using grants awarded by the Federal Highway Administration’s Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program.
The total TIGER project, which includes the value of the land in Sweetwater, transit and technology not related to the bridge, is $20.6 million, according to an FDOT statement provided to the Herald through FIU spokeswoman Maydel Santana.
FDOT will hold a public meeting in the spring to discuss the design concepts and other details. Currently, 60% of the design has been completed.
On June 13, architects will submit 90% of the design, and then on Sept. 26, 100% of the design, according to information provided by Santana. Construction is scheduled to start in the summer of 2023 and last for about two years.
In a recent interview, FIU Interim President Kenneth Jessell said he’s attending monthly meetings about the new bridge. Jessell replaced Mark Rosenberg, who abruptly resigned in January amid allegations he made unwanted advances to a younger woman who worked with him.
“It’s going to have two towers rather than the center pylon. It’s going to be a steel bridge, rather than a concrete bridge,” Jessell said. “It’s not the same design; the design has significantly been improved.”
This story was originally published March 15, 2022 at 9:07 PM.
