Dallas council approves suspension bridge plan
The Dallas Morning News
June 24, 1999
Author: Robert Ingrassia; Staff Writer of The Dallas Morning News
Estimated printed pages: 2

The Dallas City Council signed off Wednesday on a proposal to build five suspension bridges over the Trinity River.
Mayor Ron Kirk and others voting in the 14-1 majority said the bridges would redefine the city's relationship with the river and help bring Dallas' northern and southern halves together.

"This is a bridge that can carry more than cars and people," Mr. Kirk said. "It has a chance to carry ideas and dreams and hopes."

Council member Donna Blumer cast the dissenting vote. She said the bridges, although beautiful, would hamper the city's ability to pay for basic public needs.

"I'm just very, very concerned that we are hamstringing future councils in doing their budgeting if we approve this," she said.

The designs are the brainchild of Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, who worked with a team led by the Dallas firm Halff Associates. Mr. Calatrava, who unveiled bridge models to the council last week, is renowned for his sculptural, modernistic designs.

The council's resolution calls for city staffers to work with other public entities and to seek funding for the bridges. It does not mention the idea of the city asking voters to approve bond funds, although Mr. Kirk and city officials have said such a referendum remains a possibility.

Three of the five bridges would be new, including one along a planned extension of Woodall Rodgers Freeway and two along the proposed Trinity Parkway toll road. The other two bridges would replace existing ones at Interstate 30 and Interstate 35E.

The Woodall bridge would cost up to $67.4 million, or $18 million more than a normal pier-and-beam span, according to Halff engineers. In all, city officials estimate that building suspension features on all five bridges would add roughly $120 million to the base costs.

The Woodall bridge is tentatively set for completion by 2004. The toll road bridges would be complete after 2006. The interstate bridges don't have specific schedules yet.
Edition:  FIRST
Section:  NEWS
Page:  27A
Copyright 1999 The Dallas Morning News
Record Number:  4065274