Maitland City Talk

The following narrative is excerpted with permission from the I-4 Ultimate August 2016 eNewsletter: The design of the Maitland pedestrian bridge is advancing at a healthy pace.

The 600-foot-long bridge, which will cross Interstate 4 and connect the sidewalks at Lake Destiny Road and Wymore Road, is being built in conjunction with the Maitland Boulevard interchange.

The curved bridge will be suspended over Interstate 4 by 20 pairs of thick steel cables attached to a 142-foot-high arch.

Refining the bridge’s design required research and hard work, but it’s at 90 percent completion, said Bjarne Gudmundsen, design build manager with SGL Constructors, the design-build joint venture of Skanska, Granite and Lane for the I-4 Ultimate Project.

Some additions include a realignment of the pathways leading up to the bridge to allow for more visually appealing landscaping.

Beyond aesthetics, resilience against high wind speeds and other adverse weather conditions is absolutely crucial, Gudmundsen said.

A scaled model of the bridge recently underwent rigorous wind tunnel testing to study its stability.

“The tests went well, and they confirmed our design,” said Gudmundsen.

“It will be a challenge to build, but it will be so rewarding once it has been completed,” he said. “We have not found a structure just like this elsewhere.”

Screen on the Green returns on Oct. 1

After a summer hiatus, Screen on the Green is back. Join us for a screening of “The Good Dinosaur” on Saturday, Oct. 1, at 7:30 p.m. Bring your blankets and chairs to the Maitland Middle School Soccer Field at 1901 Choctaw and we'll bring you the stars.

Lake Lily Park Playground reopens on Oct. 2

The Parks & Recreation Department is pleased to announce the Lake Lily Park Playground Reopening Celebration on Sunday, Oct. 2, during the Maitland Farmers Market, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Stop by and enjoy free face-painting, a balloon artist's creations, and games with prizes.

Join us for the next Parkside Chat on Oct. 5

The next Parkside Chat is on Wednesday, Oct. 5, at the Maitland Community Park meeting room, from 8 to 9 a.m. The Parkside Chats series provides residents opportunities to ask questions and dialogue with a member of the City Council in a small group setting. Coffee will be provided.