GS&P Selected to Design Trail and Wildlife Crossing on Florida’s East Coast
Gresham, Smith and Partners is proud to announce the firm’s recent contract with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to provide design and engineering services for a new pedestrian trail and wildlife crossing at Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Florida’s Martin County. The trail and bridge, which will span the Florida East Coast Railway, will connect to the park’s existing trail along U.S. 1, providing a safe crossing point for the park’s visitors and wildlife. The project is part of a statewide effort to increase public trails and green spaces.
Gresham, Smith and Partners is proud to announce the firm’s recent contract with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to provide design and engineering services for a new pedestrian trail and wildlife crossing at Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Florida’s Martin County. The trail and bridge, which will span the Florida East Coast Railway, will connect to the park’s existing trail along U.S. 1, providing a safe crossing point for the park’s visitors and wildlife. The project is part of a statewide effort to increase public trails and green spaces.
“Jonathan Dickinson State Park is a wonderful community asset and the planned improvements will truly enhance the park experience for Martin County residents while protecting the area’s diverse wildlife,” commented Tyler Strickland, P.E., J.D., Florida state transportation leader, Gresham, Smith and Partners. “Our team has a deep understanding of this park due to our work on phase one and we look forward to using that knowledge to deliver a unique, multi-functional overpass that will become a must-see for tourists and visitors.”
The project will include a one-mile long multi-use trail and a 100-foot long, 130-foot wide bridge. The overpass will provide a safe crossing point for the park’s assortment of animals, including deer, raccoons, foxes and bobcats, as well as threatened and endangered species such as gopher tortoises and eastern indigo snakes. Due to the park’s environmentally sensitive setting, the project team will take innovative approaches to preserve the natural environment.
GS&P is also providing design and engineering services for phase one of improvements at Jonathan Dickinson State Park, which includes a 4.5-mile long, 12-foot wide multi-use trail along the route of the out-of-service Old Dixie Highway and a safety-lighted crosswalk on U.S. 1. The firm has designed over 100 park and trail facilities for state and local agencies throughout the Southeast, including Keaton Beach Coastal Park and a trail on County Road 361. GS&P’s Transportation professionals deliver comprehensive planning, design, environmental, architectural and construction phase services for highway, transit, aviation and rail facilities throughout the Southeast. The staff of engineers, planners and scientists capitalize on the firm’s diverse blend of markets and disciplines to offer a truly integrated and sustainable approach that considers all perspectives and offers practical, forward-thinking solutions.