St. Pete Standard

The City of St. Petersburg is set to commemorate the successful completion of the 40th Avenue NE Bridge project with a ribbon cutting ceremony on August 19th, 2023. The ceremony, which will take place at 9 a.m. on the west end of the bridge, will mark the grand reopening of this important infrastructure.

The 40th Avenue NE Bridge project was initiated after routine maintenance in 2017 revealed corrosion in the reinforcing strands of the bridge center. The City of St. Petersburg, in collaboration with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), determined that replacing the bridge was the best course of action. The FDOT also provided partial funding for the construction, which amounted to approximately $15.4 million dollars.

"The 40th Avenue Bridge was in need of replacement due to the corrosion we discovered during routine maintenance," said [City Official]. "We are thrilled to celebrate the completion of this project and provide an improved infrastructure for our community."

The new bridge offers several enhancements compared to its predecessor. It provides approximately five feet more clearance, allowing for smoother marine traffic movement. Moreover, the construction of the new bridge incorporated innovative methods to ensure durability and safety.

To combat the corrosive marine environment, the bridge's structural elements were reinforced using Carbon or Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP or GFRP). This material is highly resistant to chloride ion and chemical corrosion, offering a longer lifespan compared to traditional carbon steel. The use of CFRP or GFRP in the 40th Avenue Bridge project marks a first for the City of St. Petersburg.

"We prioritized safety and durability in the construction of the new bridge," explained [City Official]. "By utilizing innovative materials like CFRP or GFRP, we have significantly increased the bridge's resistance to corrosion."

Another notable feature of the new bridge is the implementation of pre-stressed Florida Slab Beams (FSBs). These beams are thinner than traditional ones, allowing for greater vertical clearance for marine traffic. Additionally, the use of FSBs facilitated off-site construction, ensuring quality control and expediting the construction process.

In addition to its functional improvements, the new bridge also boasts aesthetic enhancements. The design and construction took into account the bridge's surroundings and aesthetics, creating a visually appealing structure that complements the surrounding environment.

The ribbon cutting ceremony on August 19th will be attended by city officials, residents of Shore Acres, and members of the media. The event will commence at 9 a.m. on the west end of the bridge, and attendees are encouraged to walk or bike to the site due to limited residential street parking.

During the ceremony, the westbound lane of the bridge will be closed approximately 15 minutes prior to the event, starting at 8:45 a.m. The entire bridge will be closed for approximately 15 minutes during the event, with detours in place.

As the City of St. Petersburg celebrates the completion of the 40th Avenue NE Bridge project, residents can find more information about the bridge's history, construction timeline, and other details at www.40thavenuebridge.com.

Click this link to access more information: https://www.stpete.org/news_detail_T30_R864.php