TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: Approve Work Assignment No. 2026-02PW With HighSpans Engineering, Inc. for Professional Engineering Services for the North Sumter Boulevard Pedestrian Bridge Replacement in the Amount of $319,912.00.
Recommended Action
Option 1: Approve Work Assignment No. 2026-02PW with HighSpans Engineering, Inc. for Professional Engineering Services for the North Sumter Boulevard Pedestrian Bridge Replacement in the amount of $319,912.00.
City Commission Options
Option 1: Approve Work Assignment No. 2026-02PW with HighSpans Engineering, Inc. for Prfessional Engineering Services for the North Sumter Boulevard Pedestrian Bridge Replacement in the amount of $319,912.00.
• Pros: Allows the City to proceed with the design and eventual replacement of the closed pedestrian bridges, restoring safe and continuous pedestrian infrastructure along North Sumter Boulevard.
• Cons: Funding in the amount of $319,912.00 will no longer be available for other potential Public Works needs.
Option 2: Deny Work Assignment No. 2026-02PW with HighSpans Engineering, Inc. for Professional Engineering Services for the North Sumter Boulevard Pedestrian Bridge Replacement.
• Pros: Funding in the amount of $319,912.00 would remain available for other potential Public Works needs.
• Cons: Prevents the City from proceeding with the design and eventual replacement of the closed pedestrian bridges, resulting in continued disruption to safe and continuous pedestrian infrastructure along North Sumter Boulevard.
Background Information
In November 2025, Work Assignment No. 2025-14PW was issued to HighSpans Engineering, Inc. to conduct thorough inspections of eight City-owned and maintained pedestrian bridges. The inspections determined that three wooden pedestrian bridges along North Sumter Boulevard, over Retention Ditches No. R-76 and R-86, had suffered severe corrosion and rot and were no longer structurally sufficient. All three bridges are of identical configuration and were constructed between 1998 and 2004. These bridges have remained closed to the public since December 18, 2025.
Bridge Locations:
1) Adjacent to southbound Sumter Boulevard over Ditch R-86 near La France Avenue.
2) Adjacent to southbound Sumter Boulevard over Ditch R-76 near Lady Slipper Avenue.
3) Adjacent to northbound Sumter Boulevard over Ditch R-76 near Lorri Circle.
Complete replacement of these bridges is recommended. All three bridges are in generally poor condition and exhibit both serviceability and structural deficiencies.
The primary concern with serviceability is the deteriorating condition of the bridge railings. Severe rot in several railing posts has resulted in loose and weakened railings. Additionally, the existing railing design does not comply with current Florida Building Code requirements. Section 1015.4 of the Florida Building Code limits the railing openings to a maximum of 4 inches, whereas the existing railings contain openings of approximately 14 inches.
Additional deficiencies include gouging, rotted decking, splintering, and lifted walking surfaces that create tripping hazards throughout the bridge structures.
Under Work Assignment No. 2026-02PW, professional engineering services are requested to prepare design plans and construction documents for the replacement bridges. Various cost saving measures, such as reusing the existing bridge foundations and realigning the sidewalk to eliminate one bridge, will also be evaluated under this work assignment.
Work Assignment No. 2026-02PW has been provided to the City Clerk’s Office May 15, 2026 for signature subject to City Commission approval.
Strategic Plan Pillar
Infrastructure & Facilities Integrity
Financial Impact
Funding in the amount of $319,912 has been allocated in the Fiscal Year 2026 Road and Drainage District Budget, Project Number R26SWC account number 306-5000-541.63-00.
Procurement
Professional Engineering Services were procured, for Agreement 2024-14, pursuant to Chapter 2 Administration, Article VIII Procurement, Section 2-406 - Professional services selection under Consultants’ Competitive Negotiation Act (CCNA), F.S. §287.055 of the Code of the City of North Port, Florida.
HighSpans Engineering, Inc.
2121 McGregor Boulevard
Suite 200
Fort Myers, FL 33901
Attachments:
1. Work Assignment
2. Technical Memorandum for Pedestrian Bridges
3. Letter of Interest
4. Request for Letters of Interest
5. Ranking and Evaluation Sheet
6. Continuing Services Contract
7. Location Map
8. Florida Division of Corporations Document
Prepared by: Anthony Friedman, P.E., PTOE, City Engineer
Department Director: Chuck Speake, Public Works Director