Trinity River Project
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Trinity River Project is a public works project undertaken in the 2000s in the city of Dallas, Texas (USA). Its goal is to redevelop and "reclaim" the Trinity River, which, at the project's inception, was nothing more than a ditch carrying dirty water through the city. The river was commonly odious and trash-laden and served as nothing more than a storm drain depreciating values along its path. The project aims to turn the river's path into a gleaming collection of sports fields, trails, nature centers, and recreational opportunities - billed as the largest urban park in the United States.
[edit] History
Businesses and businessmen, like Ross Perot, Jr., have pushed in recent years to build a multi-million-dollar, landmark bridge over the river and convert the section of the river near downtown into a park area with nearby commercial and retail services somewhat similar to the River Walk in San Antonio or Town Lake in Austin. None of the proposals ever made it off the drawing board.
In 1998, then-mayor Ron Kirk championed a new project that aimed to renovate the river all through Dallas. He convinced residents to approve a bond proposal to fund a major cleanup of the river, construction of park-facilities, wildlife habitats, flood-protection devices such as levees, three to five landmark bridges, and a tollway to alleviate traffic congestion. Once passed, a massive planning process began with promises to begin construction by 2005.
Some proponents claim this development would bring more life, commerce, revenue and lower crime to downtown Dallas and poorer southern Dallas. Some critics charge the project is a façade to serve special financial interests of businessmen.
On 12 December 2005, construction on the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge began—the bridge is one of three Santiago Calatrava-designed bridges to be constructed as part of the project [1]. Upon completion, it will connect Woodall Rodgers Freeway in downtown to Singleton Avenue in west Dallas. The cable-stayed bridge is to cost $93 million, its total length will be 570 meters (1,870 ft) with a main-span of 365 meters (1,198 ft) m, and an apex-height of 122 meters (400 ft).[2]
[edit] References
- ^ Bridge design & engineering: News - "First of Calatrava trio breaks ground in Dallas" - Retrieved 3 May 2006
- ^ Structurae.de (English): Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge - Retrieved 3 May 2006
