TITUSVILLE, Florida -- The numbers are in, and the A. Max Brewer Bridge project in Titusville, Florida took first
in the nation in the
5th annual America's Transportation Award People’s Choice Award, a national
contest sponsored by the American Association of State Highway and
Transportation Officials (AASHTO).
The award goes to the transportation
project voted the best by on-line voters. The A. Max Brewer Bridge
received 331,198 votes out of more than 710,000 in the national competition. The
awards were announced Sunday during the American Association of State
Highway and Transportation Officials annual meeting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
It was a tight race between the A. Max Brewer Bridge, Florida’s entry, and California’s entry, the I-405/Sepulveda Pass Project – Mulholland Bridge Demolition; or "Carmageddon" as it became known.
In addition to Florida and California, eight other states were
competing as well.
"The U.S. Chamber congratulates the California and Florida DOTs for
their pursuit of innovative solutions to their transportation needs,"
said Janet Kavinoky, executive director of transportation policy at the
U.S. Chamber of Commerce. "In California, by embracing communications as
a key strategy in transportation project management, Caltrans set the
standard for public outreach. In Florida, the DOT showed it could not
only serve the needs of commuters and the vitality of local businesses,
but also benefit the environment. We are proud to highlight projects
like these that are at the leading edge of best practices in modernizing
and expanding the nation's transportation network."
The winner receives a $10,000 prize, which goes to
the state agency’s charity of choice, plus bragging rights of being
number one. Local leaders also look to the Max Brewer Bridge to enhance
renewal efforts in Titusville and northern Brevard County.
DOT officials say that the
on-line voting took on a life of its own - going viral. Government
partners, such as Brevard County and the City of Titusville, Florida, as well as
private firms such as Lane Construction Corporation, which built the
bridge, played a vital part. The Florida Department of Transportation’s
social media efforts also played a critical role.
Florida DOT rebuilt the structurally deficient A. Max Brewer Bridge
over the Indian River making sure the new $44.8
million bridge included improvements to cut down on congestion in the
area near Kennedy Space Center, Florida. The original swing bridge regularly delayed commuters heading to
work and tourists checking out nearby attractions.
The rebuilding
resulted in a new fixed span bridge with upgrades for both motorists and
boaters. The project also dealt with many environmental challenges, as
the bridge stretched across a sensitive environmental area that featured
protected sea grass and manatee winter migration paths. Florida DOT
paid special attention to the environmental impacts using innovative
project management, all while eliminating the constant chokepoint in
Titusville.
According
to research done by the North Brevard Historical Society, Albert "Max"
Brewer was a Titusville attorney in the 1950s and succeeded William
Akridge as State Representative from Brevard County. In 1961 Gov. Bryant
appointed Brewer to the State Road Board. In 1966 Brewer was killed
when his private plane crashed. In 1983 a swing span bridge was renamed
the A. Max Brewer Bridge in his honor. The swing span was replaced by
the new bridge above.
