Firm That Designed Collapsed Florida Bridge Worked On CT Project

NEW LONDON, CT — One of the companies that designed the pedestrian bridge that collapsed Thursday at Florida International University also had a role in the rehabilitation of the southbound Gold Star Bridge structure on Interstate 95, according to media reports.

The 6,000 foot-long bridge is the largest in the state and spans over the Thames River from New London to Groton, according to Connecticut By the Numbers. Onsite activities for the project began in April 2017, with inspection and oversight conducted by the state Department of Transportation and FIGG Bridge Inspection.

On Thursday, at least six people were killed and eight vehicles were crushed when a newly constructed pedestrian bridge collapsed outside the main campus of Florida International University. The bridge was built to connect the university with the city of Sweetwater.

See also: FIU Bridge Collapse In Miami Kills At Least 6, Injures More

• FIU Bridge Collapse: Engineering Firm Has Other Notable Projects

Construction on the bridge began in 2017, and a 950-ton span of the bridge had been swung into its permanent position just less than a week before the collapse.

The project, which was expected to be finished in 2019, is a collaboration between Munilla Construction Management (MCM) and FIGG Bridge Design. The Tallahassee-based company has been involved in several notable projects both in Florida and in other parts of the country.

FIGG's website says the company specializes exclusively in bridges. According to the company bio, they have designed bridges in 39 states and six countries with construction values over $10 billion.

According to the project website, some of the work involved in the Gold Star Bridge rehabilitation included replacing the structure’s expansion joints and repair and maintenance of the bridge’s structural steel, which includes steel girder end repairs, bolt replacements and bearing replacement and maintenance.

More information about the project can be found here.

According to NBC Connecticut, officials from the state Department of Transportation told the news outlet that the bridges in Connecticut are verifiably safe. They also said FIGG is contracted by the state to conduct third-party construction inspection services alongside DOT staff.

The company released a statement Thursday responding to the collapse:

Photo courtesy Miami-Dade Fire Rescue