urbanSTL

Framer wrote:If they need to save money, they should skip the center median. Looks out of place on a bridge, IMO. The money they save could then go to some of the other design elements.

rencelas wrote:

Framer wrote:If they need to save money, they should skip the center median. Looks out of place on a bridge, IMO. The money they save could then go to some of the other design elements.

Center median, depending on the bridge framework and support capability, could give space for an eventual streetcar line.



For everyone clamoring for a streetcar line, let's be realistic. I'd LOVE to see one. However, given the economic climate, is there a snowball's chance in hell that it happens? Not anytime soon.

warwickland wrote:


I'm just interested to see if there has been any serious discussion about the implementation of streetcars in south city like there has been for the north/south line- but the answer seems to be 'not really.' I think they would be successful - most of the south side is very dense for a midwestern city - even if there is still a destructive push by many to suburbanize its commercial districts- particularly west/southwest of my neighborhood.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING:

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON LOCATION AND DESIGN OF THE GRAND AVENUE VIADUCT REPLACEMENT PROJECT Notice is hereby given to all interested persons that a public hearing will be held at St. Louis City Hall, Room 208, 1200 Market Street, St. Louis Missouri, on Wednesday, January 7th, 2009, at 6:00 o’clock p.m. Central Standard Time. Handicap access is available. All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard concerning their views on the location and design of Grand Avenue Viaduct Replacement Project with reference to the economic and social effects of such location and design, its impact of the environment and its consistency with the goals and objectives of the community. The presently contemplated improvement is as follows: The City of St. Louis is planning the replacement of the Grand Avenue Viaduct Bridge over Union Pacific Railroad and MetroLink located between I-64 and Chouteau Ave. The proposed bridge will have 4 - 12 ft. wide traffic lanes, 6 ft. wide, shared-use bicycle lanes and raised 12 ft. wide sidewalks. In addition the bridge will feature widened bus turnout areas for use by MetroBus and MetroLink patrons in association with the Grand MetroLink Station. Maps, plats, environmental documentation, and other detailed information prepared by the City Board of Public Service will be available for public inspection and copying at the office of the President of Board of Public Service, City Hall, Room 325. Written statements and exhibits as well as oral statements will be received at the hearing. Written statements and exhibits will be made a part of the public hearing transcript if received within ten days after the date of the hearing. Tentative schedules for right of way acquisition and construction will be discussed at the hearing. If you are disabled and require special services at the public hearing, please notify David Newburger by January 2, 2009 at 314 622-3686 so that arrangements for those services can be made. CITY OF: St. Louis City Missouri BY:Marjorie Melton, P.E., President, Board of Public Service

ST. LOUIS — The Grand Boulevard bridge that connects midtown and Tower Grove will be torn down and rebuilt once Highway 40 work ends.



In March 2010, the city of St. Louis plans to demolish the bridge, which carries Grand over the Union Pacific and MetroLink tracks, just south of Highway 40 (Interstate 64). Construction is expected to last 14 months.

bonwich wrote:You know what's tangentially interesting about this thread? There ain't no such thing as "Grand Avenue" in St. Louis, save for the tiny spur above I-70.

brickandmortar wrote:FYI...tonight is a public meeting on the Grand Ave Bridge.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING:

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON LOCATION AND DESIGN OF THE GRAND AVENUE VIADUCT REPLACEMENT PROJECT Notice is hereby given to all interested persons that a public hearing will be held at St. Louis City Hall, Room 208, 1200 Market Street, St. Louis Missouri, on Wednesday, January 7th, 2009, at 6:00 o’clock p.m. Central Standard Time. Handicap access is available. All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard concerning their views on the location and design of Grand Avenue Viaduct Replacement Project with reference to the economic and social effects of such location and design, its impact of the environment and its consistency with the goals and objectives of the community. The presently contemplated improvement is as follows: The City of St. Louis is planning the replacement of the Grand Avenue Viaduct Bridge over Union Pacific Railroad and MetroLink located between I-64 and Chouteau Ave. The proposed bridge will have 4 - 12 ft. wide traffic lanes, 6 ft. wide, shared-use bicycle lanes and raised 12 ft. wide sidewalks. In addition the bridge will feature widened bus turnout areas for use by MetroBus and MetroLink patrons in association with the Grand MetroLink Station. Maps, plats, environmental documentation, and other detailed information prepared by the City Board of Public Service will be available for public inspection and copying at the office of the President of Board of Public Service, City Hall, Room 325. Written statements and exhibits as well as oral statements will be received at the hearing. Written statements and exhibits will be made a part of the public hearing transcript if received within ten days after the date of the hearing. Tentative schedules for right of way acquisition and construction will be discussed at the hearing. If you are disabled and require special services at the public hearing, please notify David Newburger by January 2, 2009 at 314 622-3686 so that arrangements for those services can be made. CITY OF: St. Louis City Missouri BY:Marjorie Melton, P.E., President, Board of Public Service

Link

SMSPlanstu wrote:History point.



I think it was Nixon, but maybe Reagan (Why I confuse the two I do not know) who passed the ICTEA or ICETEA laws that pulled Federal funding from bailing out (NYC) or just giving free money for any project like a bridge. These laws made cities rethink how they funded projects and did not just go to the Fed. for money. Due to this law some cities have started working and reorganizing like a private company in order to meet financial goals. Cities have to market themselves to companies. Robert Moses, the infamous urban destroyer and major advocate for building highways and suburbs, abused the Fed's money many times. He had a project that NYC or NY state could not afford, he went to Washington and got his funding.

Terrible man may I remind you. With no consideration for people or neighborhoods he drew a line through dense urban fabric and built his highways no matter who lived there. He had sycophants applauding him and never correcting him becuase he was policially connected to President Roosevelt among others, and was omnipotent to NYC Mayor and NY Governor.



I say this because the Grnad Bridge could have been built with Fed money but to illustrate this quote and how it does not work post-ICTEA lera

they always found the moeny to do it, wheather it be a bond issue or from washington

MattnSTL wrote:I kept forgetting to post this, but the lanes on Grand at Chouteau have been restriped into a proper configuration. The southbound center lane no longer turns into a left turn lane, there are now 3 thru lanes again. There is also a left turn lane. The lanes on both sides were narrowed just a bit. This should help out immensly. I don't know why it wasn't done from the start.