Contractors make way for temporary bridge, ponds

EAST COUNTY — Drivers traveling on Interstate 75 just south of University Parkway may have a similar question lately: Why are all these trees being taken out of the median?

The answer has to do with the diverging diamond interchange project going in at University Parkway. As the Florida Department of Transportation prepares for the construction of the new interchange, it’s also making way for the expansion of I-75 that goes with it.

Prince Contracting has been removing much of the forested area in the median of I-75 between University Parkway and Fruitville Road, making way to widen I-75 with an additional through lane in both directions. The outside lane, once roadwork is completed, will be converted into a designated travel lane for drivers traveling just between the University Parkway and Fruitville Road exits.

FDOT Interstate Construction Project Manager Marlena Gore said Prince Contracting is working on clearing and grubbing areas in the median that are needed for permanent retention and detention ponds — ponds used to hold overflow water from storm and other events and ponds that always hold excess water, respectively. 

Clearing already has finished in preparation for shifting traffic onto portions of the median to connect with a temporary bridge structure across University Parkway. The three-lane bridge will take traffic off the existing interstate in one full direction at a time, as contractors build the diverging diamond.

“That’s the only way we can demolish the existing overpass,” Gore said. “The median will become a three-lane bypass to connect to the bridge, roughly from north of Errie Creek and south of Foley Creek.”

Gore said FDOT expects to install the temporary bridge sometime before the end of the year, but no dates have yet been set by the contractor.

FDOT spokesman Robin Stublen said the widening of I-75 not only will include the addition of a vehicle travel lane, but also an expanded recovery area, the shoulder area used for drivers to correct driving mistakes before veering entirely off the roadway.

And, although in many areas it looks like the forested median area has been destroyed, Stublen said FDOT is only tearing down trees necessary for the project.

“We’re not removing any vegetation that we don’t have to remove,” he said. “There will be some trees left in the wider areas. It costs money to take this stuff down, grind it up and haul it away. We don’t do these things unless we absolutely have to.”

FDOT already owned right of way required for the project, he said.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].