New I-244 Bridge

[SXSW]

Another double-decker bridge with an arch that carries I-279 in Pittsburgh.  The Alleghany is actually narrower than the Arkansas but also is navigable (notice the yachts by PNC Park).  It still would be cool to see an arch or something interesting.  They could really create a landmark with this bridge.

[SXSW]

There is a public meeting to discuss the new bridge this Thursday, April 29 at 6 pm in the Event Hall at the TCC Center for Creativity (9th & Boston).  I have a banquet to attend in Norman that night otherwise I would definitely go.  I believe they are going to talk about the design, function, and other aspects of the bridge so if you can attend please do so we (hopefully) don't get another boring bridge over the Arkansas.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20100426_11_0_TheOkl981828

[TheArtist]

I will try to be there.

[SXSW]

Does anyone have any updates?  I assume design/engineering is currently ongoing.  I was in Dallas recently and noticed their Calatrava-designed bridge near downtown is under construction.  It will really be a nice landmark though in an odd location and over a mostly dry Trinity River.  Their bridge (below) is being built for $93 million and is a cable-stayed span with a 400 foot arch.  Our new bridge (the westbound double-decker) is supposed to cost $87 million with no word on what the design will be.  I realize the bridge in Dallas is not a double-decker and is only 1,900 ft. long compared to our nearly 3000 ft. but I would hope for that amount of money we at least get something interesting.  Something with arches that matches the style of our two other nice bridges, 23rd Street and Avery, would be a nice touch.

Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge in Dallas

[dbacks fan]

Does anyone have any updates?  I assume design/engineering is currently ongoing.  I was in Dallas recently and noticed their Calatrava-designed bridge near downtown is under construction.  It will really be a nice landmark though in an odd location and over a mostly dry Trinity River.  Their bridge (below) is being built for $93 million and is a cable-stayed span with a 400 foot arch.  Our new bridge (the westbound double-decker) is supposed to cost $87 million with no word on what the design will be.  I realize the bridge in Dallas is not a double-decker and is only 1,900 ft. long compared to our nearly 3000 ft. but I would hope for that amount of money we at least get something interesting.  Something with arches that matches the style of our two other nice bridges, 23rd Street and Avery, would be a nice touch.

Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge in Dallas

Which highway in Dallas? I-30, Stemmons/I-35E or the 183?

[sgrizzle]

This bridge will likely be mostly architecturally boring, but consider this it the westbound bridge and any aesthetics will be hidden largely by the eastbound bridge.

[Red Arrow]

I agree that our bridge will probably be architecturally boring but since the Arkansas River is not navigable, it is probably the best we will do. 

[SXSW]

I agree that our bridge will probably be architecturally boring but since the Arkansas River is not navigable, it is probably the best we will do. 

Neither is the Trinity in Dallas and they are doing a cable-stayed bridge.  They wanted a landmark not 'just another bridge' to get from Point A to Point B..

[Red Arrow]

Neither is the Trinity in Dallas and they are doing a cable-stayed bridge.  They wanted a landmark not 'just another bridge' to get from Point A to Point B..

Find some $ and maybe we could too. With the present budget situation, what are you willing to give up to get a pretty bridge?

[SXSW]

Find some $ and maybe we could too. With the present budget situation, what are you willing to give up to get a pretty bridge?

There are some $ from the Kaiser Foundation for the design of this bridge, I don't know how much though or who the architect is; could be Santiago Calatrava for all we know.   

If the new bridges follow the same layout as the current ones adding some arches or something similar could go a long way toward making the bridges a nicer gateway into downtown.  See below for a quick MS Paint 'rendering' of how something so simple can add a lot.


The I-35 bridge is Minneapolis is pretty utilitarian but is pretty sweet looking at night with the help of LED lights.  Something like this would be really cool and wouldn't cost much more to implement.

[Red Arrow]

Don't get me wrong, I would like a pretty bridge.  If given the choice between a plain bridge or a structurally deficient bridge, I'll take the plain bridge.  The Minneapolis bridge is certainly nicer than a bunch of straight lines.  It would look nice in a picture like the one you doctored of Tulsa but would it be readily visible to casual observers?

[Renaissance]

Neither is the Trinity in Dallas and they are doing a cable-stayed bridge.  They wanted a landmark not 'just another bridge' to get from Point A to Point B..

And it is and will continue to be roundly mocked throughout the state of Texas.  Just an absurd use of money--a true vanity project.  Not that the same could be said if Tulsa built something similar--after all, the Arkansas actually has some water in it.  But there's got to be a balance somewhere between form and function.  The Dallas bridge's form will be so far from its function as to be laughable. 

I do agree that it would be nice if there could be some element of design built into the new span.  It's almost a waste of dollars not to have aesthetic considerations included when you're rebuilding.

[YoungTulsan]

Keep in mind, that new bridge in Minneapolis was the result of this:



So I'll have to agree with Red Arrow

Don't get me wrong, I would like a pretty bridge.  If given the choice between a plain bridge or a structurally deficient bridge, I'll take the plain bridge.

[nathanm]

And it is and will continue to be roundly mocked throughout the state of Texas.  Just an absurd use of money--a true vanity project.  Not that the same could be said if Tulsa built something similar--after all, the Arkansas actually has some water in it.  But there's got to be a balance somewhere between form and function.  The Dallas bridge's form will be so far from its function as to be laughable. 

There is some water in the Trinity River. I was reading a story the other day about a couple of guys who kayaked from Fort Worth to Dallas recently.

[Renaissance]

I didn't mean to imply that the Trinity River was dry.  But Dallas is literally putting this bridge:



over this: