Located along the Gulf Coast shore, the white sandy beaches and views of the sunset make Lovers Key State Park a very popular destination amongst local residents and tourists. Three intermodal bridges were added to provide tram and walking access from the parking area to the barrier islands. Due to the sensitive native vegetation and limited access, the bridges were constructed using top-down construction methods. To facilitate this type of construction, precast components were used as often as possible to minimize the amount of concrete casting and on-site work over the pristine wetlands in this remote area.
The two main bridges used precast concrete piles and caps and deck units to produce a durable, long-lasting structure to service the park patrons for many years. A single-span, wood, prefabricated 75-foot pedestrian bridge was also installed to provide access to an auxiliary parking area where visitors can park and access the barrier islands’ main tram.