High-tech toll plaza

by Jonathan McGaha | March 31, 2009 12:00 am

The new Sunrise Mainline Toll Plaza on the Sawgrass Expressway west of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., represents a transformation of the aging expressway to a highway of tomorrow. The $26 million design-build project offers the first open-road tolling in south Florida, using a double-span signature gantry for collection of tolls from high-speed vehicles.

“The assignment from the Florida Turnpike Enterprise was to create a ‘showcase toll plaza,'” said Jesse Forst, project manager for architectural firm RS&H, Orlando, Fla.

The Sawgrass Expressway is a major commuter corridor that more than 90,000 vehicles use per day. The toll plaza project included 1.33 miles (2.13 km) of roadway, widening north and south of the plaza and complete reconstructing of the approaches.

Petersen Aluminum Corp., Elk Grove Village, Ill., supplied approximately 11,000 square feet (1,022 m2) of PAC-CLAD 0.032-inch
(0.8-mm) corrugated aluminum panels. The 7/8-inch (22-mm) panels were finished in Silver Metallic. Additionally, Petersen supplied 5,400 square feet (502 m2) of 0.125-plate aluminum that was custom perforated by Harrington & King Perforating Co., Chicago, and spray coated.

“The use of corrugated metal was part of the design-build criteria established by the Turnpike,” Forst said. “We designed the project to have a contrasting look between the corrugated and the perforated material. The installation challenges involved detailing to make sure the two materials meshed together properly without creating maintenance or constructability problems. It’s a great project and a definite toll road showcase in south Florida.”

MCM Corp., Miami, was the lead contractor, and Allied Architectural Metals Inc., Fort Lauderdale, was the fabricator and installer.

Petersen Aluminum Corp.

Harrington & King Perforating Co.

Source URL: https://www.metalarchitecture.com/projects/high-tech-toll-plaza/

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