Wald Park Pedestrian Bridge: Difference between revisions

From Bhamwiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
No edit summary
No edit summary
 
Line 1: Line 1:
The '''Wald Park Pedestrian Bridge''' is a proposed project to construct a pedestrian walkway spanning 182 feet over [[Montgomery Highway (Vestavia Hills)|Montgomery Highway]] ([[U.S. Highway 31]]) in [[Vestavia Hills]], connecting [[Wald Park]] and the [[Vestavia Hills Public Library]] about 445 feet south of its intersection with [[Round Hill Road]].
The '''Wald Park Pedestrian Bridge''' is a proposed project to construct a pedestrian walkway spanning 143 feet over [[Montgomery Highway (Vestavia Hills)|Montgomery Highway]] ([[U.S. Highway 31]]) in [[Vestavia Hills]], connecting [[Wald Park]] and the [[Vestavia Hills Public Library]] about 445 feet south of its intersection with [[Round Hill Road]].


The concept of a pedestrian bridge over U.S. Highway 31 was discussed as part of the city's plans for sidewalks along the highway corridor, much of which was carried out in the mid-2000s. In [[2006]] a $1.2 million earmark for the project was included in federal legislation.
The concept of a pedestrian bridge over U.S. Highway 31 was discussed as part of the city's plans for sidewalks along the highway corridor, much of which was carried out in the mid-2000s. In [[2006]] a $1.2 million earmark for the project was included in federal legislation.
Line 11: Line 11:
A new review by ALDOT officials led to a requirement that the bridge comply with the [[Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990]]. An elevator was added to the design for the east side of the span, with ramps providing accessibility on the higher west side. The elevator and ramps were designed to accommodate bicycles and strollers as well as wheelchairs. Walkway lighting would be incorporated into the handrails on the bridge, and uplighting from the ground was included in the design. Preliminary plans were presented to the public in April [[2019]]. ALDOT approved the preliminary redesign in September of that year.
A new review by ALDOT officials led to a requirement that the bridge comply with the [[Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990]]. An elevator was added to the design for the east side of the span, with ramps providing accessibility on the higher west side. The elevator and ramps were designed to accommodate bicycles and strollers as well as wheelchairs. Walkway lighting would be incorporated into the handrails on the bridge, and uplighting from the ground was included in the design. Preliminary plans were presented to the public in April [[2019]]. ALDOT approved the preliminary redesign in September of that year.


The revised project went to bid in February [[2021]] with an estimated construction cost of $2.1 million to $2.6 million. 10 potential contractors attended a pre-bid conference. Only one, [[Taylor Miree Construction]], submitted a formal bid, for $3.6 million. The city and state opted to work on a redesign rather. The revised documents were completed in [[2023]], with bidding expected to begin in February [[2024]] and for construction to be completed in [[2025]].
The revised project went to bid in February [[2021]] with an estimated construction cost of $2.1 million to $2.6 million. 10 potential contractors attended a pre-bid conference. Only one, [[Taylor Miree Construction]], submitted a formal bid, for $3.6 million. The city and state opted to work on a redesign rather than award a contract.
 
An updated scheme for a two-span bridge was prepared. The main span of 143 feet and a secondary span of 34.25 feet would be accomplished with prefabricated steel truss bridge sections. The revised documents were completed in [[2023]]. A second round of bidding began in February [[2024]] and a contract was awarded for $3.2 million, of which 80% was funded through the [[Alabama Department of Transportation]]<!--Project No. HPP-TAPBH-CMAQ-A104--> and 20% by the city. Most of the ALDOT funding was allocated by federal law as part of the U.S. Department of Transportation's Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program, and the Federal Highway Administration's High Priority Projects Program.
 
Construction is expected to be completed in September [[2025]].


==References==
==References==
Line 21: Line 25:
* Embry, Neal (May 5, 2021) "[https://vestaviavoice.com/news/pedestrian-bridge-bid-comes-in-over-budget/ Pedestrian bridge bid comes in over budget]." {{VV}}
* Embry, Neal (May 5, 2021) "[https://vestaviavoice.com/news/pedestrian-bridge-bid-comes-in-over-budget/ Pedestrian bridge bid comes in over budget]." {{VV}}
* Matthews, Carter (September 28, 2023) "New pedestrian bridge coming to Vestavia on U.S. 31." {{BNow}}
* Matthews, Carter (September 28, 2023) "New pedestrian bridge coming to Vestavia on U.S. 31." {{BNow}}
* McIntosh, Loyd (June 11, 2024) "ALDOT gives Vestavia Hills go-ahead for pedestrian bridge across U.S. 31." {{VV}}
* Bell, Valerie (June 21, 2024) "Construction of pedestrian bridge over Hwy 31 in Vestavia Hills set to start this summer." ABC3340.com


[[Category:Pedestrian bridges]]
[[Category:Pedestrian bridges]]

Latest revision as of 12:57, 9 July 2024

The Wald Park Pedestrian Bridge is a proposed project to construct a pedestrian walkway spanning 143 feet over Montgomery Highway (U.S. Highway 31) in Vestavia Hills, connecting Wald Park and the Vestavia Hills Public Library about 445 feet south of its intersection with Round Hill Road.

The concept of a pedestrian bridge over U.S. Highway 31 was discussed as part of the city's plans for sidewalks along the highway corridor, much of which was carried out in the mid-2000s. In 2006 a $1.2 million earmark for the project was included in federal legislation.

In 2009 Engineer Fouad Fouad and his students in the UAB Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering developed a proposal to construct the bridge using newly-developed high-strength composite materials. The proposal was poorly received by potential contractors and was not used. Gresham Smith & Partners was commissioned to prepared a design.

In 2016 Mayor Butch Zaragoza met with ALDOT officials to push for progress on the bridge. He learned that it would be able to move forward, but that the federal funds available had been reduced to $700,000. The Vestavia Hills City Council approved an agreement with the Department in December of that year, increasing the city's commitment to $190,000.

In January 2017 city manager Jeff Downes estimated that the project would cost $1.25 million, with the city's matching funds representing about $140,000 of that. He hoped to receive bids that spring and related ALDOT's assurance that the bridge had been moved to a priority list and would be completed by the end of the year.

A new review by ALDOT officials led to a requirement that the bridge comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. An elevator was added to the design for the east side of the span, with ramps providing accessibility on the higher west side. The elevator and ramps were designed to accommodate bicycles and strollers as well as wheelchairs. Walkway lighting would be incorporated into the handrails on the bridge, and uplighting from the ground was included in the design. Preliminary plans were presented to the public in April 2019. ALDOT approved the preliminary redesign in September of that year.

The revised project went to bid in February 2021 with an estimated construction cost of $2.1 million to $2.6 million. 10 potential contractors attended a pre-bid conference. Only one, Taylor Miree Construction, submitted a formal bid, for $3.6 million. The city and state opted to work on a redesign rather than award a contract.

An updated scheme for a two-span bridge was prepared. The main span of 143 feet and a secondary span of 34.25 feet would be accomplished with prefabricated steel truss bridge sections. The revised documents were completed in 2023. A second round of bidding began in February 2024 and a contract was awarded for $3.2 million, of which 80% was funded through the Alabama Department of Transportation and 20% by the city. Most of the ALDOT funding was allocated by federal law as part of the U.S. Department of Transportation's Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program, and the Federal Highway Administration's High Priority Projects Program.

Construction is expected to be completed in September 2025.

References

Retrieved from "http://bhamwiki.com/w/index.php?title=Wald_Park_Pedestrian_Bridge&oldid=218744"