32 replies to this topic

[Jim Wilson]

I just learned of this and wanted to suggest we all attend/re-view/learn more:
If I understand correctly, as part of the Hwy 121 extension, the Hulen bridge will come down over the Trinity trails.

A new bridge - with Bicycle and Pedestrian access - will be built!
The Bike/Ped access will be suspended below and connect to Trinity Trails!

I've a Benbrook City Council meeting the evening of this meeting,
I hope some or many of you can attend and learn more about this development...
... sounds like it will directly affect motorists, pedestrians & cyclists- hopefully in good way.

More from City of Fort Worth public release:
----------------------------------------------------------
Clearfork Main Street Bridge Design To Be Unveiled
The City of Fort Worth will unveil the final design for the Clearfork Main Street Bridge at an open house
from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Aug. 6 (Thursday)
at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden Center, 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd.

Exhibits about the bridge and plans for the surrounding area will be on display,
and there will be a brief presentation in the auditorium.
City staff and members of the design team will discuss the bridge.

The 1,800-foot roadway and bridge will connect Stonegate Boulevard to the planned
Clearfork Main Street in southwest Fort Worth, linking Hulen Street to Bryant Irvin Road
and the Southwest Parkway. The bridge will carry four lanes of traffic across the Trinity River.
A separate pedestrian crossing will be suspended from the bridge to accommodate foot and bicycle traffic.

The pedestrian level will feature eight overlooks, four on each side.
The design includes trail links on both banks of the river.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

I hope to return here Friday and learn more from those who attended.
Jim

[Jim Wilson]

I further understand the Hulen bridge will come down as part of Hwy 121,
so will the Bryant-irvin bridge?

This new bridge (subject of Thursday meeting) will be in addition to rebuild of those.
This bridge will connect on southside of trinity to new roadway,
one which will go from Hulen St to Bryant-Irvin Rd.

Now, will that new roadway, which this bridge will connect to with bike/ped access have bike/ped access?
Obviously the new bridge will prove a crossing which doesn't currently exist for Bike/Ped,
but again, will the new roadway it connects to on the southside?
Hmm? I'm affraid I know the answer but would appreciate the question at this meeting.

[mmiller2002]

I like the idea of connecting Hulen (at Stonegate) with Bryant Irvin (at Acme Brick) but HATE that the 121 construction will bring down the Hulen bridge over the rail yard and eliminate the northbound exit to eastbound Vickery. That destruction will mess with my lifestyle :-(

[John T Roberts]

From the drawings that I have seen of the new Southwest Parkway, I thought that an entirely new Hulen Street bridge was going to be constructed to the east of the existing bridge. That would allow the old bridge to carry traffic while the new one was being constructed. The only closure would be when they were making the connections between the new and the old.

[Sam Stone]

I'm a little confused. . .

Why is it called the Clearfork Main St. bridge? Shouldn't it be called the Stonegate Blvd bridge?

How is it going to connect to Bryant Irvin? That's awfully far away.

[cbellomy]

The new Hulen bridge will be built before the old one is demolished. John is right, the new bridge will be built just to the east of the existing one.

[Thurman52]

As part of the development of the Edward Ranch they renamed that portion of Stonegate to Clearfork Main and it will cross the Trinity and then merge into Edwards Ranch Road which part of that road is already on Bryant Irvin.

[Sam Stone]

I thought FW already had a Main Street?

[mmiller2002]

Maybe "they" are just trying to create a little insta-town for a retailing image.

[John T Roberts]

Thurman52, actually Clearfork Main Street is not planned to merge into Edwards Ranch Road. Clearfork Main will intersect Edwards Ranch Road with a roundabout.

[Thurman52]

Gotcha but Clearfork Main does not go through to Bryant Irvin right? You have to get onto Edwards Ranch Road?

[John T Roberts]

Clearfork Main does not go through to Bryant Irvin. You have to get on Edwards Ranch Road to make the connection. Likewise, Edwards Ranch Road does not connect to Hulen Street.

Confused? Here is the proposed development layout:
http://www.edwardsra...k/CF-master.htm

[Sam Stone]

OK, I get it now. So is the name of the road "Clearfork Main?"

[RD Milhollin]

OK, I get it now. So is the name of the road "Clearfork Main?"

Still sort of an unoriginal, pretentious name... or at least confusing.

[Thurman52]

Anyone go last night? Anything to show for it?

[Jim Wilson]

The LMRA Bicycle Club had 7+ members attend- many who bicycled to the event.

I understand there were no facilities or pre-event thoughts that cyclists might attend.
However, they quickly made accommodations and allowed 6 cyclsits to bring their bikes
through facilities and park them in the interior gardens during the meeting.

Some comments from those we had attend include:
The bridge planning showed a 6% grade for cars to summit the bridge and a 1/2 mile long approach;
but the approach for the ped/bike bridge was mostly flat and very short.
It appeared that they were planning for a smooth paved path to the existing trail so that there would be no awkward intersections for ingress/egress.
I was happy to hear that no planned trail disruptions will be made which was good for commuters or others with a fixed destination.

Another interesting question...
I did not think to ask about the design to hear if the peds/cyclists will be protected from any FOD coming off the car roadway.
At least cyclists wear helmets. I also wondered afterwards about water runoff or splashing from the upper decks if/when we get more rain.
Nancy (bicycle commuting LM Engineer)

Regarding cycling to the event:
I indicated I was with a group of about 6 cyclists, but I was told clearly that that would not be allowed.
However, after appearing lost, as if I had no idea what to do next, the gentleman I was speaking with slapped his forehead saying
"Why didn't I think of this?" and invited us to bring our bikes around the side through the foyer into an interior garden space.
We did so, and parked or laid down our bikes in the interior garden area.

and those in attendance included...
Once inside, we registered, and milled around before the presentation started.
There were displays and maps available for viewing in the foyer just outside of the Botanic Gardens Theater.
We spoke with Adelaide from Streams and Valleys, and received the latest map of the River Trail System.
There were also representatives from the city and the contractor selected to construct the bridge.

and...
At 7pm we were called in to attend the briefing. Inside, we ran into Nancy and chatted some.
The bridge will cross the Trinity River from Hulen St, west of the Stonegate development, over to the Edwards Ranch area west of the Trinity River.
This bridge will eventually tie into surface roadway that leads to Bryant Irvin and the planned Southwest parkway.
The bridge will include 4 lanes for autos, 2 lanes each direction separated so as to provide daylight to the pedestrian/cyclist lane suspended underneath.
The pedestrian/cyclist lane will have ramps that tie into the river trail system in the west side of the river.
There will be no ammenities such as bridge lighting, auto parking, drinking fountains, or emergency phones.
Construction will begin in Spring 2010 with a planned completion in 2011.
During construction, the river trail may be diverted at times, but use of the trail is planned to not be interrupted.
John (also bicycle commuting aero-engineer)

Full text of some LMRABC attendees at: LMRA Bicycle Club Message Board

[360texas]

Anyone know where we can find pictures of the new bridge concept designs ? I have read the Edwards Ranch comments - thanks for those.

[vl@freese.com]

You may find images of the bridge and the presentation here: www.Freese.com/ClearFork

[360texas]

vl, Welcome to the forum

Is great to see the Corps is partnering with local government and engineering firms. Yes, that first Clear Fork Main Street Bridge .pdf is exactly what I was looking for. That PDF tells the whole story with great pictures and renderings.

That keeps the design and construction color of money here locally.

Thank you Sir.

Dave
[Retired USACE]

[TexasArch79]

Just thought id post up a photo from my good ole trusty iphone again. This should relate to this topic, because this is the entrance for the Clearfork development from Bryant Irvin. This is at the intersection of Riverpark/Edwards Ranch Road and Bryant Irvin. They just put the ClearFork letters up on the entrance.

[John T Roberts]

When I ride down the bike trail in the evenings, I have been hearing some heavy machinery working. I don't think it is in relation to the gas well near Hulen because the area where I hear the activity is closer to the low water crossing leading to Bellaire. One of these days, I'm going to explore along the already built section of Edwards Ranch Road.

[Doohickie]

According to the original briefing, the construction of the bridge over the Trinity just west of Hulen was supposed to begin "Spring 2010" and be complete in Summer 2011. Anyone know what's going on?

[Thurman52]

Bids are due April 29th. They have detail drawings for the bids on the cities website for contractors.

[Doohickie]

According to the <a href="http://tinyurl.com/q7kaow" target="_blank">original briefing</a>, the construction of the bridge over the Trinity just west of Hulen was supposed to begin "Spring 2010" and be complete in Summer 2011. Anyone know what's going on?

Well, they've finally started. I wonder if they will be done by this summer as originally planned (yes, I know the answer to that). Here is a pic I took today while riding on the Trinity Trail (heading southwest toward Benbrook)

[David Love]

My only question is: Did they take a hint from Austin and design the underside gaps to attract natures 100% Eco-Friendly insecticide?

[Owen]

Yeah, we could use bat-friendly bridges in Fort Worth.

[Volare]

Is the trail still runable/rideable?

[Thurman52]

Not sure how they will be finished by end of summer but they are making progress

[Volare]

Well they are a lot faster than the new Hulen bridge! That new debacle has been months with no action at all while the northbound lanes sit idle!

[John T Roberts]

The trail has always been open during the bridge construction. You detour to the crushed limestone portion. Even though the gravel has been a little loose lately, it is easy to ride on a road bike. I'm sure most runners prefer the crushed limestone over concrete anyway. As for the Hulen Bridge, they are continuing to pour supports and bridge beams over the rail yards, but below the Hulen Bridge. Also, bridge supports for the parkway are starting to rise on the south side of the tracks and west of Hulen.

[Thurman52]

The bridge opens April 27

[John T Roberts]

I knew they had been working at a faster pace lately, so I thought the opening wouldn't be too far away.

[elpingüino]

The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the vehicle level of the Clearfork Main Street Bridge will be Friday morning, April 26. The pedestrian level will open in June.

 

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