New I-244 Bridge

[sgrizzle]

FAIL!  If that's a reason they think they need to keep it gated off.

Things can be disposed of off the 23rd St. or existing SW Blvd. auto bridge now.

Give people a lot of cement shoes have you?

[Markk]

Nope, if what I read in the .pdf is correct, the federal funding is there already.

In honor of the aforementioned senators, I stubbornly stand by my answer in spite of all facts, logic, reason, or common sense to the contrary.

[Conan71]

Give people a lot of cement shoes have you?

What size shoe do you wear?  Muwaahahahahah!

[SXSW]

The TW article about the new bridge...curious what the design will be and if Kaiser is still involved?

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=16&articleid=20100218_16_A1_Amilli142989

[Conan71]

I have got to quit reading the comment section of the TW web site.  My eyes are bleeding.

[Nik]

Hmm. Kinda bummed about this. I was honestly expecting a new bridge to replace everything coming over the Arkansas. All of 244, Southwest Blvd, commuter/passenger train track and pedestrian walkway. I mean, this is a lot better than nothing, but I was hoping to completely get rid of this eyesore.

[SXSW]

Hmm. Kinda bummed about this. I was honestly expecting a new bridge to replace everything coming over the Arkansas. All of 244, Southwest Blvd, commuter/passenger train track and pedestrian walkway. I mean, this is a lot better than nothing, but I was hoping to completely get rid of this eyesore.

I figured the railroad bridge would be demo'd after the new bridge is built with the new tracks underneath but I'm not sure.  SW Blvd. and the Avery Bridge aren't going anywhere. 

I just hope this is a bridge that has been designed and not just engineered, with some interesting lighting features.

[sgrizzle]

It would be possible to put SW BLVD under the northbound bridge when it's replaced, but there is little need to do so.

[Conan71]

It would be possible to put SW BLVD under the northbound bridge when it's replaced, but there is little ZERO need to do so.

FIFY

[Nik]

I figured the railroad bridge would be demo'd after the new bridge is built with the new tracks underneath but I'm not sure.  SW Blvd. and the Avery Bridge aren't going anywhere. 

I just hope this is a bridge that has been designed and not just engineered, with some interesting lighting features.

I read the original request from earlier in this thread and it is referred to as a "multi-modal" bridge. I thought I remembered the proposal saying that the railroad was included in the bid. So, kinda surprised to hear the new bridge is just for half of 244.

[SXSW]

I read the original request from earlier in this thread and it is referred to as a "multi-modal" bridge. I thought I remembered the proposal saying that the railroad was included in the bid. So, kinda surprised to hear the new bridge is just for half of 244.

My (limited) understanding of this project is that north and southbound traffic will have to be routed onto the current south 'northbound' bridge.  They will then tear down the north bridge and rebuild it as a double-decker with road surface on top and tracks/bike trail below.  Once that bridge is finished they will route all of the traffic onto it and do the same thing with the south bridge except it won't be double-decked.  I'm surprised they are putting a bike path underneath; I guess that means the Avery bridge will stay off limits?  That would make for a great, wide jogging/bike path across that historic bridge.

[sgrizzle]

I read the original request from earlier in this thread and it is referred to as a "multi-modal" bridge. I thought I remembered the proposal saying that the railroad was included in the bid. So, kinda surprised to hear the new bridge is just for half of 244.

The southbound side is multimodal. The northbound side is vehicle only. The southbound side will be about 65ft across, which is plenty to do everything without having to double-deck two bridges.

[SXSW]

Designs are expected to be completed by the end of 2010 with construction starting in early 2011. 

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20100218_11_0_Workco345659

[Transport_Oklahoma]

Couldn't the light rail line be installed on the Avery or the exisiting 11st Street Bridge? 

I am 75% certain the Tulsa-Sapulpa Union Railway interurbans ran on the Avery Bridge up to the 1940s anyway.

The are federal regulations restricting the mix of light rail and conventional trains.  It would be better to have the two new track footprints reserved for commuter and intercity rail.

[Transport_Oklahoma]

Oh yes.  This is spectacular news.  This is likely the most expensive segment of the Oklahoma spoke of the South Central Corridor.