Waiting for bike infrastructure
#26
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well, well, well, i saw some potentially promising signs on my commute this morning.
i saw two McHugh Construction pick-ups parked on the grass and several guys in high-viz vests standing at the site of the proposed north shore channel bridge and pointing around at stuff. my guess is either McHugh got the contract for the bridge and are starting to plan out their mobilization, or the bid process is still open and McHugh was just doing a pre-bid site visits.
i sure hope it's the former!
i'm bursting with excitement! my bridge might finally be happening!
i saw two McHugh Construction pick-ups parked on the grass and several guys in high-viz vests standing at the site of the proposed north shore channel bridge and pointing around at stuff. my guess is either McHugh got the contract for the bridge and are starting to plan out their mobilization, or the bid process is still open and McHugh was just doing a pre-bid site visits.
i sure hope it's the former!
i'm bursting with excitement! my bridge might finally be happening!
#27
born again cyclist
Thread Starter
construction fencing is up at the site of the proposed bridge!
after more than a decade of planning, it's finally becoming real!
after more than a decade of planning, it's finally becoming real!
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#29
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@Steely Dan, that's awesome! Congratulations!
Having waited 20 years for a trail, I feel ya.
ETA: I should add, construction is scheduled to start (hopefully) in early 2021. So, really, more than 20 years. {sigh**
Having waited 20 years for a trail, I feel ya.
ETA: I should add, construction is scheduled to start (hopefully) in early 2021. So, really, more than 20 years. {sigh**
Last edited by Korina; 02-20-19 at 01:50 PM.
#30
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that look like an excellent spot for a bridge. does anyone have any insight why it costs so much? 3.4 million is what I read. it's 16 ft wide and 180 long.
https://blockclubchicago.org/2019/02...iles-of-paths/
https://blockclubchicago.org/2019/02...iles-of-paths/
#31
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that look like an excellent spot for a bridge. does anyone have any insight why it costs so much? 3.4 million is what I read. it's 16 ft wide and 180 long.
https://blockclubchicago.org/2019/02...iles-of-paths/
https://blockclubchicago.org/2019/02...iles-of-paths/
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that look like an excellent spot for a bridge. does anyone have any insight why it costs so much? 3.4 million is what I read. it's 16 ft wide and 180 long.
https://blockclubchicago.org/2019/02...iles-of-paths/
https://blockclubchicago.org/2019/02...iles-of-paths/
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that look like an excellent spot for a bridge. does anyone have any insight why it costs so much? 3.4 million is what I read. it's 16 ft wide and 180 long.
https://blockclubchicago.org/2019/02...iles-of-paths/
https://blockclubchicago.org/2019/02...iles-of-paths/
#34
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I feel like around here $3.4M wouldn't even pay for the architect
Edit, I was wrong. $3mil for this project, ground broke in 2014, ribbon cut in 2017, hosted Amgen Tour of CA in 2018.
https://folsomcasharttrail.com/the-trail/about
Edit, I was wrong. $3mil for this project, ground broke in 2014, ribbon cut in 2017, hosted Amgen Tour of CA in 2018.
https://folsomcasharttrail.com/the-trail/about
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Last edited by Darth Lefty; 02-20-19 at 02:56 PM.
#35
born again cyclist
Thread Starter
that look like an excellent spot for a bridge. does anyone have any insight why it costs so much? 3.4 million is what I read. it's 16 ft wide and 180 long.
https://blockclubchicago.org/2019/02...iles-of-paths/
https://blockclubchicago.org/2019/02...iles-of-paths/
thanks for linking to that article.
my favorite part: "The entire project is expected to be done this fall."
with the glacial pace that this project has moved at thus far, i have a hard time believing that timeline, but if it does pan out, it's crazy to think that i might be rolling over the new bridge in a matter of months, and the most dangerous/annoying part of my daily commute completely eliminated, forever!
#36
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#37
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Last edited by tcs; 03-05-19 at 12:22 PM.
#38
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Dallas (America's can't do city) spent $115,000,000 on a Santiago Calatrava designed dual arch suspension pedestrian and cycle bridge over the ditch that is the Trinity River. (Motor vehicle traffic is carried by a standard TexDOT highway bridge 'hidden' between the arches.) After ten years of planning and five years of construction the beautiful bike bridge was completed two years ago...but the state structural engineer has refused to certify the bridge is structurally sound because in certain wind conditions the support cables break away and pit&pendulum across the deck. So the bike bridge hasn't and can't be used and there is currently no plan or schedule in place to rectify the situation. As far as Dallas (America's can't do city) shakers and movers are concerned, that's okay, since they just wanted the arches for their addition to the city's skyline.
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/03/a...oondoggle.html
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After reading the article that mentions the bridge should be open by fall I'm feeling optimistic about it, but after seeing some many road construction projects halt after the barricades are put up I'm wondering when they're really going to finish.
#41
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@Steely Dan, that's awesome! Congratulations!<br /><br />Having waited 20 years for a trail, I feel ya.<br /><br />ETA: I should add, construction is scheduled to start (hopefully) in early 2021. So, really, more than 20 years. <em>{sigh**</em>
#42
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About 10 years ago, a young enthusiast cyclist was killed on one of the rural roads commonly used between these two points, by an inattentive driver. Made the news, and caused a buzz in the "community". But didn't push any buttons wrt. progress on this last link :shrug:
#43
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A little off topic, but have you seen the roads in USA lately. I swear it looks like we do not have the billions needed to build and repair roads or some one is stealing money , or the road builders are purposely not building properly. I drove from kenosha , wi., to Chicago the other day. The roads are literally all ruined with the last Artic Polar Vortex, we had with that incredible cold snap.
I am just wowondering if bike safety would actually get our country back on track. Building our transit system that actually would have a developed rail system , linking then to a net work of smaller buses once you get off the train.There by reducing traffic dramatically and having bike lane every where actually with some type of barrier.. I have read that Mexico has smaller buses that run frequently. The damage that heavy traffic does to roads is mind boggling. The financial tax burden on us having g our love affair with cars is literally killing us and putting the financial burden on all citizens to the breaking point. I mean I just could not beleive the destruction on the roads
major roads with major pot hole stretches that if you are not careful will damage your car seriously. . I am a the sky is falling type of guy. But I really think that in terms of cars , the sky is really falling....
I am just wowondering if bike safety would actually get our country back on track. Building our transit system that actually would have a developed rail system , linking then to a net work of smaller buses once you get off the train.There by reducing traffic dramatically and having bike lane every where actually with some type of barrier.. I have read that Mexico has smaller buses that run frequently. The damage that heavy traffic does to roads is mind boggling. The financial tax burden on us having g our love affair with cars is literally killing us and putting the financial burden on all citizens to the breaking point. I mean I just could not beleive the destruction on the roads
major roads with major pot hole stretches that if you are not careful will damage your car seriously. . I am a the sky is falling type of guy. But I really think that in terms of cars , the sky is really falling....
#44
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I don't remember how long it took to get the second overpass built over Touhy going through Busse Woods, but the death at the street level crossing was needed to get the construction started. I'm glad that wasn't needed for this project.
#45
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A little off topic, but have you seen the roads in USA lately. I swear it looks like we do not have the billions needed to build and repair roads or some one is stealing money , or the road builders are purposely not building properly. I drove from kenosha , wi., to Chicago the other day. The roads are literally all ruined with the last Artic Polar Vortex, we had with that incredible cold snap.
I am just wowondering if bike safety would actually get our country back on track. Building our transit system that actually would have a developed rail system , linking then to a net work of smaller buses once you get off the train.There by reducing traffic dramatically and having bike lane every where actually with some type of barrier.. I have read that Mexico has smaller buses that run frequently. The damage that heavy traffic does to roads is mind boggling. The financial tax burden on us having g our love affair with cars is literally killing us and putting the financial burden on all citizens to the breaking point. I mean I just could not beleive the destruction on the roads
major roads with major pot hole stretches that if you are not careful will damage your car seriously. . I am a the sky is falling type of guy. But I really think that in terms of cars , the sky is really falling....
I am just wowondering if bike safety would actually get our country back on track. Building our transit system that actually would have a developed rail system , linking then to a net work of smaller buses once you get off the train.There by reducing traffic dramatically and having bike lane every where actually with some type of barrier.. I have read that Mexico has smaller buses that run frequently. The damage that heavy traffic does to roads is mind boggling. The financial tax burden on us having g our love affair with cars is literally killing us and putting the financial burden on all citizens to the breaking point. I mean I just could not beleive the destruction on the roads
major roads with major pot hole stretches that if you are not careful will damage your car seriously. . I am a the sky is falling type of guy. But I really think that in terms of cars , the sky is really falling....
If anything, it seems like we are moving in the wrong direction...
#46
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A little off topic, but have you seen the roads in USA lately. I swear it looks like we do not have the billions needed to build and repair roads or some one is stealing money , or the road builders are purposely not building properly. I drove from kenosha , wi., to Chicago the other day. The roads are literally all ruined with the last Artic Polar Vortex, we had with that incredible cold snap.
I am just wowondering if bike safety would actually get our country back on track. Building our transit system that actually would have a developed rail system , linking then to a net work of smaller buses once you get off the train.There by reducing traffic dramatically and having bike lane every where actually with some type of barrier.. I have read that Mexico has smaller buses that run frequently. The damage that heavy traffic does to roads is mind boggling. The financial tax burden on us having g our love affair with cars is literally killing us and putting the financial burden on all citizens to the breaking point. I mean I just could not beleive the destruction on the roads
major roads with major pot hole stretches that if you are not careful will damage your car seriously. . I am a the sky is falling type of guy. But I really think that in terms of cars , the sky is really falling....
I am just wowondering if bike safety would actually get our country back on track. Building our transit system that actually would have a developed rail system , linking then to a net work of smaller buses once you get off the train.There by reducing traffic dramatically and having bike lane every where actually with some type of barrier.. I have read that Mexico has smaller buses that run frequently. The damage that heavy traffic does to roads is mind boggling. The financial tax burden on us having g our love affair with cars is literally killing us and putting the financial burden on all citizens to the breaking point. I mean I just could not beleive the destruction on the roads
major roads with major pot hole stretches that if you are not careful will damage your car seriously. . I am a the sky is falling type of guy. But I really think that in terms of cars , the sky is really falling....
#47
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"There comes a time in the affairs of man when he must take the bull by the tail and face the situation." - W. C. Fields
#48
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#49
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^^^^ Kinda resembles the Cannonball Path bridge over our Beltline:
It was not constructed on-site, except for the supports. The four sections were factory-built, trucked in and craned into place. When they did the two central sections, they closed the main Beltline and had to get both in place overnight in one night. It drew spectators who stayed up all night to watch it happen.
Alas, it's also sort of a "bridge to nowhere", for the time being anyway. Another example of the topic of this thread. The southern terminus of the path is a major intersection of several parts of the area's bike infrastructure, at the far southwest corner of Madison. That section was completed, and the bridge installed, in 2013. But just north of this image, the path dead-ends on a busy street known for its speeders. The last section that will connect it to a more central cross-town path hasn't been started, although the rail corridor it will use is long since decommissioned. This "missing link" section goes through one of the poorest and most racially / ethnically diverse parts of town (and one of the most under-served, wrt. bike infrastructure), but it's not slated for completion until 2020.
When it's done, it will run right past the local bike co-op. Good thing, considering the 500-foot-long private access drive into the co-op, currently the only way to get there, is an unpaved virtual minefield that can be used to test the mettle of any MTB.
It was not constructed on-site, except for the supports. The four sections were factory-built, trucked in and craned into place. When they did the two central sections, they closed the main Beltline and had to get both in place overnight in one night. It drew spectators who stayed up all night to watch it happen.
Alas, it's also sort of a "bridge to nowhere", for the time being anyway. Another example of the topic of this thread. The southern terminus of the path is a major intersection of several parts of the area's bike infrastructure, at the far southwest corner of Madison. That section was completed, and the bridge installed, in 2013. But just north of this image, the path dead-ends on a busy street known for its speeders. The last section that will connect it to a more central cross-town path hasn't been started, although the rail corridor it will use is long since decommissioned. This "missing link" section goes through one of the poorest and most racially / ethnically diverse parts of town (and one of the most under-served, wrt. bike infrastructure), but it's not slated for completion until 2020.
When it's done, it will run right past the local bike co-op. Good thing, considering the 500-foot-long private access drive into the co-op, currently the only way to get there, is an unpaved virtual minefield that can be used to test the mettle of any MTB.
#50
born again cyclist
Thread Starter
the wait is finally over.
after eagerly watching the construction progress over the past 9 months, the bridge is officially open as of this morning (12/30)!!!
my daily commutes up and down the north shore channel trail have been forever improved.
the middle 6 miles of my 8 mile commute are actually entirely off-street now.
what an excellent belated christmas present!
the bridge is nice, a big and beefy cor-ten steel bow-truss span with asphalt road deck.
it's nice and wide with separate, marked bike & pedestrian lanes.
all-in-all, a nice bit of bike infrastructure that looks built to last.
after eagerly watching the construction progress over the past 9 months, the bridge is officially open as of this morning (12/30)!!!
my daily commutes up and down the north shore channel trail have been forever improved.
the middle 6 miles of my 8 mile commute are actually entirely off-street now.
what an excellent belated christmas present!
the bridge is nice, a big and beefy cor-ten steel bow-truss span with asphalt road deck.
it's nice and wide with separate, marked bike & pedestrian lanes.
all-in-all, a nice bit of bike infrastructure that looks built to last.
Last edited by Steely Dan; 12-30-19 at 09:54 AM.