Tampa, FL

Skyway Wave Attenuation Design-Build

Client: Vecellio & Grogan, Inc./Florida Department of Transportation – District 1
Our Role: Prime Designer & Engineer of Record

Wave attenuation devices in the ocean alongside a parallel roadway with vibrant green trees.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), District 1, faced an urgent challenge: protecting the existing seawalls along the South Fishing Pier’s access road at the Skyway Bridge from persistent wave energy and erosion. With Tampa Bay’s dynamic marine environment, FDOT needed a long-term solution to prevent damage to the recently repaired seawall and roadway while maintaining the ecological health of the surrounding waters. The project required the design and construction of two breakwaters—measuring 1,180 feet and 1,512 feet in length—that could attenuate at least 70% of wave energy while supporting future seagrass mitigation efforts.

Our team served as the prime designer and engineer of record for this innovative design-build project. Through close collaboration with FDOT, we developed, permitted, and constructed two breakwaters using state-of-the-art Wave Attenuating Devices (WADs)—a first-of-its-kind application for any state or federal agency in the U.S. These structures offer a faster, more cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable alternative to traditional breakwater designs.

Key Features

Wave Energy Reduction: The strategic placement of 8.5’ and 10.5’ WADs provided a highly effective barrier against wave energy, exceeding the project’s minimum attenuation requirements.
Erosion Control & Infrastructure Protection: By mitigating wave action, the breakwaters safeguard the seawall and fishing pier access road, ensuring long-term stability.
Environmental Benefits: The WADs promote the growth of marine life and seagrass, contributing to ecological restoration efforts in Tampa Bay.
Durability & Sustainability: Designed to withstand the harsh marine environment, the WADs enhance coastal resilience while minimizing maintenance needs.

Outcomes

This project not only delivered an innovative coastal protection system but also set a new standard for sustainable marine infrastructure. By pioneering the use of WADs in a major transportation project, our team provided FDOT with a solution that safeguards critical infrastructure while supporting environmental conservation efforts.

Long-Term Infrastructure Resilience: The breakwaters effectively prevent erosion, protecting roadway and seawall integrity.
Environmental Stewardship: The design fosters marine habitat growth, contributing to Tampa Bay’s ecological health.
Innovation in Coastal Engineering: Establishes a precedent for using WADs in future state and federal coastal protection projects.
American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Florida, 2024, Engineering Excellence Awards, Grand Award Winner
American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Florida, 2024, Outstanding Environmental Project Award
American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), 2024, National Engineering Excellence Award