WGI was the engineer of record for this $94M Design-Build project to widen and reconstruct six miles of I-75 in Hernando County. The project reconstructed the interchange at US 98/SR 50/Cortez Boulevard, resulting in a Single Point Urban Interchange configuration. The I-75 bridges over US 98 were replaced with single span steel bridges designed to accommodate future widening of I-75 and US 98. Approximately one mile of US 98 widened and reconstructed within the interchange limits using concrete pavement. New high mast lighting was designed for the interchange. Signals were replaced at the ramp intersections.
New ITS infrastructure was installed along I-75 and US 98. Utility Work by Highway Contractor (UWHC) plans will be developed for relocation of Hernando County water and wastewater mains. The project included replacement of the guardhouse at the entrance to the Withlacoochee State Forest Croom Motorcycle Area. I-75 bridges over Croom Rital Road and Withlacoochee River were widened to accommodate new lanes. Other services included signing and pavement marking design, geotechnical investigation, Gopher tortoise investigation and relocation, utility coordination, and public involvement. This project received ACEC Florida’s Outstanding Major Project Award.