DRAINAGE DESIGN CASE STUDY:

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) initiated a drainage rehabilitation project at the Estero Parkway Bridge over I-75 to improve water management behind mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls and reinforced concrete barriers. The project focused on preventing hydrostatic pressure buildup and soil erosion, critical in Florida’s high-moisture environment.

JET Filter System supplied 60 maintainable weep hole assemblies as part of an MSE Wall Drainage System to relieve water pressure and improve the long-term performance of the bridge abutments and retaining walls.

Florida’s infrastructure frequently battles groundwater infiltration and trapped moisture behind structural walls. At the Estero Parkway Bridge, FDOT engineers observed signs of hydrostatic pressure accumulation, a leading cause of:

• Barrier wall deflection

• Soil migration and erosion

• Cracks in concrete abutments

• Long-term infrastructure degradation

To mitigate these issues and enhance future maintainability, FDOT required the installation of accessible weep hole drainage systems through the newly proposed reinforced concrete barriers.

Working alongside the Lee County Department of Transportation and Zep Construction, Inc., the project team installed a MSE Wall Drainage System composed of 60 JF3SS Maintainable Weep Hole Assemblies, featuring:

✅3” diameter ASTM 316/316L Stainless Steel open-end housing

✅Mirafi® Filter-Weave FW 300 geotextile filter media

✅Integrated into proposed concrete barriers supporting the MSE wall

These durable, corrosion-resistant components were installed at key drainage points along the MSE wall structure to ensure water could escape efficiently while preeting soil loss and structural damage.

Mechanically stabilized earth walls require proper water management to prevent failure. Without reliable drainage:

• Water pressure pushes against retaining structures

• Soil becomes saturated, shifting under load

• Maintenance costs increase as structures deteriorate

• Public safety and service life are compromised

JET Filter’s maintainable weep hole systems provide a long-term solution for structural stability and DOT compliance in both new and rehabilitated bridge construction.