[Speed Gibson,
Tuesday August 7, 2007 at 10:53pm]
Size Matters
Flash at Centrisity ponders what the next I-35W bridge might look like, complete with pictures of a comparable structure near Boston. The "Planning Class" is already twittering about bike paths, local art, even light rail tracks. Engineers both real and imagined speak of redundancy and maintainability. Nick Coleman will want a digital readout showing today's odds making it to the other side, flashing red when the temperature reaches 90 degrees.
We should indeed take the time to do this right, if for no other reason than it is our state's busiest bridge. The old one was eight lanes I believe, and that probably wasn't enough. I wonder if two spans aren't required, one each way, with abundant shoulders either side. That would allow maintenance and inspections to be less disruptive.
One span could also provide the walking / biking path, which seems like a reasonably cheap add on. The other, yes, could carry train traffic, be it Northstar and/or Central Corridor. (Sorry, I'm suffering from inevitability this week.)
The only other detail is where to put the Sayles-Belton Memorial Art Supply store.
We should indeed take the time to do this right, if for no other reason than it is our state's busiest bridge. The old one was eight lanes I believe, and that probably wasn't enough. I wonder if two spans aren't required, one each way, with abundant shoulders either side. That would allow maintenance and inspections to be less disruptive.
One span could also provide the walking / biking path, which seems like a reasonably cheap add on. The other, yes, could carry train traffic, be it Northstar and/or Central Corridor. (Sorry, I'm suffering from inevitability this week.)
The only other detail is where to put the Sayles-Belton Memorial Art Supply store.