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7th Street Bridge Closure?


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#1 txsloth

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Posted 30 July 2009 - 07:33 AM

I've heard (from a pretty unreliable source) that there is serious consideration for completely closing down the 7th St. bridge for up to 10 months for repairs and for a light rail retrofit. My source (who has questionable comprehension skills) claims this was discussed at a recent city council meeting (I can't find anything about it on the agenda) and that the closure could happen as soon as this fall. Does anyone have any info on this? White Settlement and it's feeders would become a total nightmare during this time.

#2 Fort Worthology

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Posted 30 July 2009 - 08:36 AM

http://cbs11tv.com/l....2.1105366.html

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#3 cbellomy

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Posted 30 July 2009 - 03:33 PM

The bridge is slated to be completely replaced. I don't see how they could do that without closing it altogether. Lancaster can handle the traffic, though.


#4 DKinFW

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Posted 04 August 2009 - 12:12 PM

At the lighting ceremony for the Lancaster Street lights several weeks ago, I seem to remember that it was announced that the artist that did the lights for Lancaster would also be in charge of a "makeover" of the 7th street bridge. I send the artist an e-mail asking about the project and if he had any preliminary ideas etc. As of today I have not gotten a reply. Does anyone know if the artist's work is to be part of this re-do project? Has anyone seen any plans, sketches etc for the bridge?

#5 RD Milhollin

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Posted 04 August 2009 - 12:55 PM

QUOTE (cbellomy @ Jul 30 2009, 03:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The bridge is slated to be completely replaced.


Something tells me I saw an article somewhere that said the current bridge consisted of two parts, one built in the 1910's ands the other in the 1930's, and that the plan on the table involved replacing the older part and rebuilding/reinforcing the newer part. Does that sound familiar to anyone?

#6 Fort Worthology

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Posted 04 August 2009 - 12:57 PM

QUOTE (DKinFW @ Aug 4 2009, 01:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
At the lighting ceremony for the Lancaster Street lights several weeks ago, I seem to remember that it was announced that the artist that did the lights for Lancaster would also be in charge of a "makeover" of the 7th street bridge. I send the artist an e-mail asking about the project and if he had any preliminary ideas etc. As of today I have not gotten a reply. Does anyone know if the artist's work is to be part of this re-do project? Has anyone seen any plans, sketches etc for the bridge?


I don't think the same artist is doing the bridge, rather he was on the judging panel for selecting the artist & design for the new bridge.

I have heard some things about the new bridge, but they aren't ready to be made public yet. Hopefully soon there'll be some announcement.

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#7 mmiller2002

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Posted 05 August 2009 - 11:34 AM

QUOTE (Atomic Glee @ Aug 4 2009, 01:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I have heard some things about the new bridge, but they aren't ready to be made public yet. Hopefully soon there'll be some announcement.


You're such a tease.

#8 Fort Worthology

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Posted 05 August 2009 - 12:04 PM

QUOTE (mmiller2002 @ Aug 5 2009, 12:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
You're such a tease.


I really don't mean to be - just trying to keep the discussion going in some way. My friend requested I not share the details just yet.

For the record, I have not *seen* the new bridge design, but I have had it described to me in decent depth. It sounds very interesting, both from a design and mobility standpoint. I would also describe it as a "contextual" design.

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#9 AndyN

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Posted 05 August 2009 - 12:29 PM

Not trying to be antagonistic, but if everyone is ok changing the design of the 7th street bridge, then the argument that the EW railroad realignment would be harmful to historic bridges is probably a moot point now? I suppose my point of view is maturing because I no longer lament some loss of historic fabric. Not sure I would say the same thing about Paddock Viaduct and I still miss the TE Smokestacks. But I can't muster much defense for the loss of the historic 7th street bridge or the railroad underpasses.
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#10 Fort Worthology

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Posted 05 August 2009 - 03:09 PM

QUOTE (AndyN @ Aug 5 2009, 01:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
But I can't muster much defense for the loss of the historic 7th street bridge or the railroad underpasses.


Well, the biggest difference is that there isn't much of the 7th Street bridge left that could really be called "historic" at this point. The original arched design was almost totally removed when the bridge was last renovated. There's only one or two arches from the original bridge, on the Downtown side. The rest of it is newer and much more utilitarian. It's not really something most preservations are going to fight for, because it's already lost most of its historic fabric.

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#11 John T Roberts

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Posted 05 August 2009 - 09:00 PM

There is only one arch, and it is directly beneath the Cash America Building. It is the last bay of the bridge on the east side. Through previous reviews, it has been determined that the bridge is not eligible for a historic listing. The reasons were as Kevin stated, but those additions and changes were made in the early 1950's. One could view the addition and remodeling as "historic"; therefore, the bridge could be considered for national, state, and local historic designations.

If one took this approach that a remodeling or an addition destroyed the historic character of a structure, then only buildings in original condition would be allowed to be listed on the National Register, as a Registered Texas Historical Landmark, or desginated as a City of Fort Worth Historic and Cultural Landmark. In my opinion, the two portions of the bridge are both historic; however, it is probably not worth a fight.

#12 txsloth

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Posted 27 August 2009 - 08:41 AM

QUOTE (cbellomy @ Jul 30 2009, 04:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The bridge is slated to be completely replaced. I don't see how they could do that without closing it altogether. Lancaster can handle the traffic, though.


Lancaster is now closed for two months. Is this in preparation for the increased load it will have once 7th shuts down? Surely both bridges won't be down at the same time... eek.gif

#13 Fort Worthology

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Posted 27 August 2009 - 01:37 PM

Both bridges won't be closed at the same time, as far as I know. The Lancaster bridge must be closed so that crews can lift the road bed to repair supports underneath. It is a maintenance procedure that Lancaster has been needing for a little while, not really related to the 7th Street stuff.

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#14 Birdland in Handley

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Posted 28 August 2009 - 01:15 AM

I'm bafffled. Are we talking about the bridge that has the wonderful terra cotta longhorn heads? Do what needs to be done but save the heads.

#15 Fort Worthology

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Posted 28 August 2009 - 06:29 AM

QUOTE (Birdland in Handley @ Aug 28 2009, 02:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I'm bafffled. Are we talking about the bridge that has the wonderful terra cotta longhorn heads? Do what needs to be done but save the heads.


That is the Lancaster bridge. It needs some smaller-scale repairs but is not getting replaced. It was renovated in 1999, and now it's time for some more maintenance.

The 7th Street bridge has no longhorn heads. It is the one that is in much worse shape and will be coming down, to be replaced by a brand-new bridge.

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#16 RD Milhollin

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Posted 30 September 2009 - 06:04 AM

A profile view illustration of the bridge accompanies the article.

http://www.star-tele...ry/1645435.html

Fort Worth's plans to replace West Seventh Street bridge would require four- to five-month closing
By MIKE LEE

mikelee@star-telegram.com

FORT WORTH — The West Seventh Street bridge across the Trinity River is approaching the century mark.

Concrete is eroding off the supports and the bottom of the deck. Its safety rating is actually lower than the bridge that collapsed into the Mississippi River in Minneapolis in 2007, according to the Federal Highway Administration.

Replacing it won’t be easy because it’s one of the main connections between downtown Fort Worth and the Cultural District and West Seventh Street developments. Business owners are worried about losing sales and leasing opportunities if the bridge is closed, and they’re also concerned about the Transportation Department’s history of delays on road projects.

City and department officials said Tuesday, though, that they have a plan to replace the bridge that will require only a four- or five-month closure. It will take careful timing, and the department is considering a couple of unusual steps to make sure construction stays on schedule, including paying a bonus if the contractor finishes on time and allowing work to continue 24 hours a day during some phases, officials told the City Council during a briefing Tuesday.

"We truly believe that with an incentive and with penalties, we can meet this schedule," department District Engineer Maribel Chavez said.

If all goes according to plan, the bridge will close during summer 2012 and reopen to traffic before the holiday shopping season that year.

Read the rest of the story at the Star-Telegram.com

Edited by AndyN, 30 September 2009 - 09:37 PM.
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#17 Eric_T

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Posted 26 November 2009 - 02:16 AM

The West Lancaster bridge is now open. I drove it this morning.

#18 AndyN

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Posted 22 July 2010 - 10:05 AM

Seventh Street bridge reconstruction to be discussed at Aug. 5 hearing

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), in conjunction with the City of Fort Worth, will conduct a public hearing to present the planned improvements to the West Seventh Street Bridge.

The hearing is set for 7 p.m. Aug. 5 in City Hall's Pre-Council Chamber, 1000 Throckmorton St.

Maps and other drawings depicting the proposed improvements will be displayed beginning at 6:30 p.m. prior to the public hearing. In addition, the plan layout, the environmental document and other pertinent information about the proposed project are on file and available for inspection at these locations:

* TxDOT Fort Worth District Office, 2501 S.W. Loop 820, Fort Worth, TX 76133; 817-370-6549
* TxDOT Fort Worth District, North Tarrant County Area Office, 2501 W, Euless Blvd, Euless, TX 76039; 817-399-4300
* City of Fort Worth Transportation and Public Works Department, 1000 Throckmorton St., Fort Worth, TX 76102; 817-392-7914

Residents interested in attending the hearing who have special communication or accommodation needs are encouraged to contact George Behmanesh at the City of Fort Worth Transportation and Public Works Department, 817-392-7914. Requests should be made at least 48 hours before the public hearing. Every reasonable effort will be made to accommodate those needs.

Written comments about the planned improvements may be submitted either in person or by mail to:

TxDOT District Office
2501 S.W. Loop 820
P.O. Box 6868
Fort Worth, TX 76115

Comments must be received on or before Aug. 16 to become part of the official hearing record.
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#19 Thurman52

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Posted 02 October 2010 - 03:13 PM

Pre-construction activities have begun and creating a mess during lunch rush to w 7th street.

City of Ft Worth show this project after FWSSR in 2012, the precast concrete will be made 2011 and shipped in. The website shows a quick rendering but not much, anyone know where more of them are?

http://www.fortworth...ridge/?id=76922

#20 Brian Luenser

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Posted 02 October 2010 - 10:37 PM

Walked over to the bridge for some pre-construction shots but was getting dark by the time I got there. I stuck around for some nite shots.


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Cannot figure out what this is under the bridge. made with mini railroad ties. Like a small railroad track.
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#21 Electricron

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Posted 03 October 2010 - 07:34 AM

That's not a great photo, so I am not sure, but it looks like a cable tray hung under the bridge. It may at one time carried telephone or cable TV cables across the bridge.

#22 David Love

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Posted 03 October 2010 - 07:47 AM

That's not a great photo, so I am not sure, but it looks like a cable tray hung under the bridge. It may at one time carried telephone or cable TV cables across the bridge.


That's what it looks like to me.

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#23 FoUTASportscaster

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Posted 19 April 2011 - 06:33 PM

I don't know if there is another thread for the 7th street bridge. If so, I didn't see and feel free to move it.

http://blogs.star-te...ge-project.html

Looks like the contractor wasn't up to the task.

#24 Volare

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Posted 19 April 2011 - 10:24 PM

Wow, what's that about getting what you pay for? I think when this bid was awarded there was some scuttlebutt about it being given to a foreign entity.




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