SEVENTH STREET BRIDGE PROJECT
The Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) Transportation Commission today awarded the contract to rebuild the West Seventh Street bridge — the gateway that links downtown to the cultural district.
Construction of the $22.7 million reinforced concrete “thru-arch” signature bridge is scheduled to begin in early 2011, with estimated completion slated for Fall 2012 before the holiday season. The project includes incentives for early completion.
TxDOT designed the bridge with six arch spans across the Trinity River to improve safety, pedestrian access and add to the architectural redevelopment under way in this corridor. The project will widen and reconstruct the four-lane bridge with 10-foot sidewalks.
Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief said that the bridge’s iconic design and modern features will help meet the changing transportation needs in the city’s urban core.
“It is fitting that we build a new bridge focused on serving bicycles and pedestrians in addition to cars and trucks,” Moncrief said. “The current bridge used to connect downtown to car dealerships and department stores. Today, a renaissance is under way. Seventh Street is about both residential and commercial development. It’s a vibrant, pedestrian friendly atmosphere. The new bridge matches that character. ”
TxDOT and the City of Fort Worth worked closely with businesses along the corridor to identify construction methods that would limit the impact to traffic during the holiday seasons and minimize lane closures. As a result, construction will begin off site with the contractor building 12 precast arches (two per span). There will be minimal lane closures throughout 2011. In spring 2012, the bridge will be reduced to one lane in each direction. During summer 2012, the bridge will be removed and the new deck placed requiring a full roadway closure of no more than 150-days.
“To build a bridge of this stature is exciting for the Fort Worth community, and it will leave a lasting impression on the Fort Worth and Trinity River landscape,” said TxDOT Commissioner Bill Meadows. “This signature bridge portrays Fort Worth’s rich history and culture which was only made possible by the extensive and successful collaboration among the city, the business, historic and cultural community, and the department.”
The original bridge was built in 1913 and was extended in 1953 when the river was re-channelized. The new bridge will be built by Tradeco Infraestructura Inc. of Houston.
Additional project information is available at on the Seventh Street Bridge project page.