Cone & Graham, Inc. served as a key partner in the design-build realignment of Dixie Highway, improving traffic flow and safety over a 0.75-mile stretch from south of Hillsboro Boulevard in Broward County to north of the Hillsboro Canal in Palm Beach County. This complex project involved the realignment of a four-lane divided urban arterial, bridging several key infrastructure elements, including the Florida East Coast Railway (FEC), the Hillsboro Canal, and multiple intersections in a highly trafficked area.

At the heart of the project was the construction of a 1,400-foot, eight-span, s-curved steel box girder bridge, which now carries Dixie Highway over the FEC Railway and the Hillsboro Canal. The project also included a pedestrian pathway bridge and an offramp structure connecting Dixie Highway to NE 2nd Avenue, enhancing both vehicular and pedestrian mobility in the area.

This fast-track design-build project, led by Kimley-Horn and Wantman Group, Inc. (WGI), required completion of the design phase in just seven months. The team’s innovative design eliminated an at-grade railroad crossing, significantly improving safety and traffic flow. Additionally, the project introduced decorative elements, such as brick paver intersections near Deerfield Beach’s City Hall, and landscape and irrigation enhancements designed in close coordination with Broward and Palm Beach counties, as well as the cities of Deerfield Beach and Boca Raton.

Given that this segment of Dixie Highway serves as a critical hurricane evacuation route, maintaining traffic flow was a top priority. A robust traffic control plan was implemented to safely guide vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic through active work zones, ensuring minimal disruption to businesses and residents in the area. New stormwater management facilities, decorative lighting, utility relocations, and signalization upgrades were also integral to the project’s success.

This design-build effort received numerous accolades, including the 2012 Class II Project of the Year Award from the Steel Erectors Association of America, the 2013 Grand Award from the Florida Institute of Consulting Engineers (FICE), and the FTBA Best in Construction Award, highlighting its exceptional engineering, design, and construction excellence.