GPI Awarded FDOT 2025 ACEC Major Bridge Award
Orlando, FL—Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. (GPI) was selected for the 2025 ACEC Major Bridge Award for our Construction Engineering and Inspection (CEI) consulting services on the Starke Railroad Overpass, a transformative Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) infrastructure project located on State Road (SR) 100 in downtown Starke, Florida. GPI was honored at the 2025 American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida, where our team accepted this prestigious award recognizing engineering excellence in major bridge construction.
The SR 100 Starke Railroad Overpass project was developed to address long-standing traffic congestion, safety concerns, and emergency response delays caused by frequent train crossings at grade-level intersections. Located at the crossing of SR 100 and the CSX rail line parallel to U.S. 301, the new overpass provides a grade-separated connection that allows traffic to move safely and continuously over the railroad. This improvement significantly improves traffic flow and emergency response times, while also reconnecting the city’s residential neighborhoods and commercial areas.
Construction on the overpass began in July 2020, and both lanes officially opened to traffic in the summer of 2023. The completed project spans from Adams Street to South Street and is part of the broader Starke Railroad Overpass Interchange Improvements, representing a $23.6 million investment in regional infrastructure.
In addition to the bridge structure itself, the project includes newly constructed one-way frontage roads on both sides of SR 100, allowing access to local streets such as Thompson, Cherry, and Church. As part of the reconfiguration, the railroad crossings at South Street and Adkins Street were permanently closed, and Walnut Street no longer connects through the SR 100 intersection. These changes help improve safety and reduce congestion throughout the downtown corridor.
GPI’s CEI team worked closely with FDOT to minimize disruptions to local traffic and residents, using phased construction and strategic access planning to maintain community mobility during the build. The overpass also features architectural and aesthetic enhancements, including decorative treatments on retaining walls, beams, piers, and barrier rails, contributing to a more visually appealing public space.
The Starke Railroad Overpass exemplifies GPI’s commitment to delivering safe, efficient, and community-focused transportation solutions.
For media inquiries or further information, please contact:
Jessica Ciccarelli
Greenman-Pedersen, Inc.
813.838.3202
jciccarelli@gpinet.com
