Pedestrian bridges may appear to be relatively simple structures; however, their design and construction require a high degree of accuracy in structural analysis and design verification. The collapse of the pedestrian bridge at Florida International University (FIU) in Miami on March 15, 2018, is considered one of the most significant recent structural engineering failures. The accident claimed six lives and injured several others, becoming a globally recognized case study in structural engineering and professional ethics. The bridge was a concrete truss structure with a main span of approximately 53 meters and a weight of about 950 tons. It was constructed using the Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) method, in which the bridge is cast beside the roadway and then lifted and transported to its final position using Self-Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMTs) within a short period. This method reduces road closure time and improves safety; however, it introduces temporary load cases that must be analyzed with the same level of rigor as the final structural condition. The bridge was constructed without intermediate columns and lacked alternative load paths, or structural redundancy, in the event of the failure of one of its members. The problem originated during the design stage. Investigations revealed that the load acting on the node connecting diagonal member 11 and vertical member 12 to the lower bridge deck slab was underestimated, while the capacity of this connection was overestimated, particularly in the shear-friction assessment at critical concrete interfaces. Available reports indicate that the connection experienced significant stress concentrations because several structural members converged at this location. Furthermore, the connection was not provided with sufficient reinforcement to resist the forces acting upon it. Several factors contributed to the deterioration of the situation. These included the appearance of visible cracks in the connection region before the collapse and the widening of these cracks after the bridge was moved and installed. However, the cracks were not treated as a serious warning that required work to be stopped and the roadway to be closed. In addition, post-tensioning work was performed on diagonal member 11 while traffic continued to flow beneath the bridge, increasing the load on an already damaged connection. Other contributing factors included inadequate independent peer review of the design and poor communication among the designer, contractor, and supervising authorities. The consequences of this accident extended beyond the loss of life and material damage. It demonstrated that prioritizing construction speed over rigorous engineering verification can make structures without alternative load paths more susceptible to sudden brittle failure without sufficient warning signs. The accident also prompted reconsideration of design review standards for unconventional bridges and the responsibilities of designers, contractors, and owners. To prevent similar accidents, a comprehensive set of measures must be adopted. These include independent design verification, detailed analysis of critical connections and nodes using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and the Strut-and-Tie Model, and Construction Stage Analysis covering all phases of construction and transportation. Additional measures include regularly monitoring cracks and measuring their widths, establishing clear acceptance limits that require work to stop when exceeded, incorporating structural redundancy, and prohibiting critical structural work above open traffic. In conclusion, the study of the FIU pedestrian bridge collapse confirms that structural safety depends not only on correct calculations but also on an engineering culture that emphasizes independent review, a serious response to early warning signs, and proper documentation of structural decisions. This incident provides an important lesson for structural engineers, particularly as accelerated construction techniques and complex architectural designs become increasingly widespread. Prepared by: Assistant Lecturer Wurood Raouf Abdulhussein M.Sc. in Civil Engineering / Structures Source: National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Highway Accident Report: Pedestrian Bridge Collapse over SW 8th Street, Miami, Florida, March 15, 2018, NTSB/HAR-19/02, 2019.