ARCHITECT’s Selin Ashaboglu reports on the pedestrian bridge on the Florida International University (FIU) Modesto Madique campus that collapsed, causing multiple injuries and casualties. According to the Miami Herald, the 950-ton concrete bridge was installed last week (on March 10) and had not yet been opened to the public, but it fell onto an unknown number of pedestrians and cars that were traveling on the multilane highway underneath.
The FIU-Sweetwater University City Bridge was planned to create a safe crossing from the university’s campus to the city of Sweetwater, Fla., “where the university estimates 4,000 of its students live,” says the Herald.
In 2016, FIU announced that the project would be headed by architecture firm MCM, in partnership with FIGG Bridge Engineers. In the same release, the university stated that “a 175-foot section of the overall 320-foot-long bridge will be prefabricated adjacent to Southwest 8th Street on MMC and then moved into position in a single night so as to minimize traffic disruption to Southwest 8th Street.” The bridge was scheduled to open to the public in 2019.
In a statement, the university said: “We are shocked and saddened about the tragic events unfolding at the FIU-Sweetwater pedestrian bridge. At this time we are still involved in rescue efforts and gathering information. We are working closely with authorities and first responders on the scene. We will share updates as we have them.”
Update: 3/15 9:12 P.M. ET The Miami Herald reports that at least four victims have died.
