New Bridge Design to 14.2 ft Is Possible & We Have a New Safe Design That Gets Us There

The Little Engine That Could

I like to think of us (all 640+ petition supporters) as "The Little Engine That Could"! We will keep chugging along with our message of  "No More Low Bridges on The Coral Gables Waterway" until we get Miami-Dade County, City of Coral Gables and Underline leaders to consider alternative bridge designs that achieve the maximum clearance for a safe and navigable waterway. Considering bridges are permanent structures that can last over 80 years, it is imperative that City and County leaders get it right. We cannot simply standby by and allow them to repeat the same mistakes of the past, such as the US 1, Ponce, Blue Road and even Granada bridges that are too low. Plus, at some point all these old bridges will need to be replaced to mitigate climate change and navigational safety issues. No time is better than the present to ensure they do the right thing!

Since the last City of Coral Gables Commission Meeting, I have been collaborating with Commissioner Ariel Fernandez and a smaller group of supporters and neighbors to identify and introduce a new bridge design that would be a win-win for Coral Gables Homeowners, Boaters and The Underline. Working with Felix Pardo, a Coral Gables resident, neighbor and most importantly a registered architect for over 46 years and expert ( former Chairman of the Coral Gables Board of Architects & Owner of Felix Pardo & Associates), Felix designed a new Underline bridge that gets to 14.2 ft of clearance.

Felix's design introduces a common structural engineering method called upturn beams that wrap the bridge structure vs beams that hang down from the bridge structure. With this simple and commonly used bridge building method, Felix was able to claw-back three feet of clearance without altering any other design components of the proposed Underline bridge, including slope and/or other safety requirements.

Pretty simple stuff that only required the insights of an expert. With this innovative design change, Coral Gables Homeowners and Boaters have now achieved 14.2 Ft of clearance and everybody has won, including the Underline, which can now proceed with their project, if they accept our new bridge design. The new bridge design can be made of poured concrete, pre-fab concrete or better yet steel, just like the new Lejune Pedestrian Bridge that is of similar design.

This week, and collaborating with Commissioner Ariel Fernandez, we plan to introduce the new bridge design to Miami-Dade County, City of Coral Gables, and The Underline Leaders.

 If there is a will, there is always a way. Thank you to all for your continued support. Do not forget to phone and/or email our City Leaders to communicate "No to Low Bridges on The Coral Gables Waterway". And now, with an expertly designed bridge, there are no more excuses.

Finally, a special shout out to Felix Pardo, who is running for a City of Coral Gables Commission Seat. Thank you, Felix, for your support and new bridge design. You took the time to meet with us and find a solution that works for all. 

Sincerely,

Manny Portuondo