urbanSTL

I was informed by our Alderman that once the Grand Ave Bridge construction is completed, the Kingshighway viaduct will replaced as well. Financing has been approved (although I don't have many details) Union Pacific is paying for some of it. He stated it was currently rated as a 2 on a 10 scale.

Sean

timeforguinness wrote:

Shawhousing wrote:I was informed by our Alderman that once the Grand Ave Bridge construction is completed, the Kingshighway viaduct will replaced as well. Financing has been approved (although I don't have many details) Union Pacific is paying for some of it. He stated it was currently rated as a 2 on a 10 scale.

Sean

I'm assuming this is the viaduct south of Hwy 44?

Gotta be the one at Shaw by O'Connell's. The rest have been rebuilt/replaced.

Can the railroad be sunk into a trench instead?

^FWIW, that is a phenomenal idea.

I wouldn't see what the issue would be if the city were willing to pay for it, aside of course from schedule disruptions. Seems like it'd be a great idea, however, and i would have to think would be much cheaper.

newstl2020 wrote:^FWIW, that is a phenomenal idea.

I wouldn't see what the issue would be if the city were willing to pay for it, aside of course from schedule disruptions. Seems like it'd be a great idea, however, and i would have to think would be much cheaper.

Not sure about the cheaper part. You have two big issues, bridges for vehicles can be designed with much steeper gradient then bridges for trains. The same would apply to digging a train trench, just the same as going down and up as you would go up and then down. Thus your trench will be of considerable length and expense itself to get proper clearance. The second obstacle is drainage. Drainage for bridge is a relative simple forward task where as the trench could be quite different. If the trench is deeper then existing storm water system you are also designing a means to literally empty a bathtub everytime it rains. Even if the storm/sewer is deeper the trench it would still act like the area's big sump everytime it rains and water backs up.

One good thing is that rail line a lightly used industrial branch if not mistaken and has been considered as possible alignment for the future North South Metrolink Line if not mistaken. I doubt it would hurt locally officials to see if UP could access clients from a different direction on the existing line or at least explore the idea. However, Its hard to imagine UP giving up ROW if its not a big liability. Too bad, the idea of eliminating the bridge outright or least getting the street to grade is a great idea

The tracks are in a bit of a trench down by Southwest and Columbia already. Weird how the next time it cross Kingshighway it's via a bridge.

The Kingshighway bridge is so long and high as it is. It really breaks up the neighborhood. I'd rather the railroad tracks be in a trench or Kingshighway go under a rail bridge. How much rail traffic is there? Would a grade crossing be so bad? Certainly cheaper. Is this the route the Texas Eagle takes?

I'd prefer the trench, then rail bridge, then road bridge, but if there's very little money and there's very little rail traffic then a grade crossing is preferred over the old bridge falling apart, right?

How is this not a case of car-oriented transportation spending that most of us decry here?

Is a trench or bridge for one set of rails for sure more expensive than a ~1500 ft bridge for 6 lanes of car traffic?

the count wrote:
We need to abandon this longing to the old days and start building solid, original, quality contemporary design. This doesn't mean that we shouldn't be respectful of historic design (even faux historic elements) when rehabbing existing structures.

Yes. Let's now begin. Contemporary can be very respectful. It represents the current and also introduces the future.

The latest timetable: Compton should be finished March 1, with work on the Grand Bridge to begin March 14.

STL could be very cool with this replacement and other projects:
Designer Dror Benshetrit took the stage at Design Indaba's opening day to unveil a project he spent the last four years working on: QuaDror. A versatile structural support system, QuaDror is a fresh take on space truss geometry that offers innumerable solutions for use and eliminates redundancy in structure.
http://www.quadror.com/

^Nifty.

I assume most of you keep up with Metro's blog, but in case you don't, Courtney's been busy posting information about bus reroutes and the impact on MetroLink riders.

http://www.nextstopstl.org/3585/st-loui ... n-transit/

I am so excited for this project to get underway! Not only is it going to be great for Metro's customers generally, it's going to be awesome for me specifically since I relocated to South Grand last fall and will be able to access this rebuilt station via bike for my commute to Metro HQ every day. I'm particularly looking forward to the new elevators and to the lit sculptures.

Roadblocks, flashing signs saying "Road Closed", massive construction equipment blocking the street, and cars are STILL trying to drive across the bridge!

Actually, it's kinda funny watching the construction guys furiously trying to get the idiots to turn around and GET OFF THE FREAKING BRIDGE!

What about a port-a-potty at the end of the platform. Seems like a small price to pay for...

...you know what, people would still piss in the elevator. Never mind.