Fern Hollow Bridge replacement - make it nice or build it fast? (Pittsburgh: fit in, homes)

[BUILD PENN SQUARE]

right on cue the debate has begun about what the new fern hollow bridge is going to look like

are we going to take the time to make it nice? or are we just gonna do what it takes to get it back up and functioning again? can a compromise be reached where everyone is please with the outcome?

no way


Fern Hollow Bridge Project

https://www.penndot.pa.gov/RegionalO...geProject.aspx

"The below renderings reflect the overall design concept but do not have full detail or shading. Certain aesthetic aspects are subject to change in final design and construction."












‘It could be a long-term mistake’: Some groups want more time to design Fern Hollow’s replacement

https://www.wesa.fm/development-tran...ws-replacement

"Cowan said PennDOT expects to provide an update on the bridge design next week. But Art Commission members have seen a preliminary design of the bridge and were invited to comment on some minor aspects of it, said Andrew Moss, the commission’s chair.

Originally Posted by BUILD PENN SQUARE

this is when the dreamy delusional phase of the rebuilding process begins

Rebuilding a bridge — and an ecosystem

https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion...s/202202110017

"But no matter the challenges it is always possible either to do better, or to do worse. Contractors and government officials should work closely with UpstreamPgh and other experts who can help them to design and build a replacement bridge that will respect its lovely and vibrant natural surroundings as much as possible."

not gonna happen - PennDOT has already made clear no fancy bridge arch or k-frame (or suspension) bridge can be built because they'd have to wait 18 months at least just to get the steel

they need this bridge back up now, and what UpstreamPgh is gonna get is a typical PennDOT concrete and steel overpass

“Based upon what we have seen so far, this is going to be very similar to any highway overpass,” he said."

“This bridge is hopefully going to last us 50 to 100 plus years,” he said. “What are a couple months to get it right over the course of a century?”

Construction of Fern Hollow Bridge replacement could begin in late April

https://www.post-gazette.com/news/tr...s/202203080092

“It looks industrial,” said Mrs. Krynski, noting how quiet the neighborhood has been with the bridge closed. “It looks like something that should go over a river, not over that beautiful park. We don’t want to see it rushed if we can take a little more time to make it look better.”

[Reggiezz]

If they tax college students at 10% instead of 1%, they can make it as fancy as they want.

[BUILD PENN SQUARE]

Some Pittsburgh officials question new Fern Hollow Bridge design

https://www.post-gazette.com/news/tr...s/202203100117

"City Controller Michael Lamb said Thursday he has asked the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to “pause” the design of the new Fern Hollow Bridge to get more input about space needed for non-motorized users and how the bridge relates to Frick Park."

Pittsburgh's Art Commission wants more public input on Fern Hollow Bridge rebuild

https://triblive.com/local/pittsburg...ridge-rebuild/

"In a letter to Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf and Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, the Art Commission acknowledged that “time is of the essence” in replacing the bridge, but it called for officials to “briefly pause” the design process to allow for a more thorough consideration of the bridge’s design.

Commissioners said the span will sit in the city’s historic Frick Park and should fit in with the park’s aesthetic, while also living up to the reputation of many other “beautiful bridges” in “The City of Bridges.”

“While this bridge needs to be replaced promptly, we should not act in such haste that we create something we will regret for the next century,” commissioners wrote."

Brandon McGinley: The Steel City can’t build a steel bridge

https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion...s/202203100021

"The new Fern Hollow Bridge won’t be pictured on any postcards.

If PennDOT’s renderings are any indication, it’ll be more like the Fern Hollow Overpass.

Did you notice the reason highway-overpass-chic was the only option for the new Fern Hollow Bridge?

No steel.

In the Steel City.

Apparently some combination of market conditions and supply chain difficulties means that even plain-Jane steel would take at least 18 months to deliver to the park named for a great and notorious steel magnate. And specialty steel, which you’d need to do anything, well, special, could take two years.

You’d think U.S. Steel would be able to whip up a batch for Pittsburgh, for old time’s sake. Maybe Pittsburgh Public Schools could have offered to take Mr. Frick’s siege of Homestead off the history curriculum in return for the favor."

[erieguy]

Beggars being choosers with something that could’ve been averted for so much less money. Lots of bridges to be fixed. Better look to save some money to fix them versus being concerned with aesthetics and more caving in unless they’re going to raise city taxes to come up with more money.

[speagles84]

Build it fast. Jesus do people like to complain. "Bridge falls down" "Wow so bad horrible! How are we going to rebuild" "actually we can rebuild it much quicker than expected " "it's ugly looking and only has one bike lane, redesign it"

[svband76]

Any opportunity for govt to spend precious taxpayer money will be pursued. Fix what needs fixed and move on.

[guy2073]

The city should slow the bridge down. They should spend the time to float bonds and hire their own company to design and build it themselves. Maybe the money saved will keep 79 from being tolled.

[MountainDewGuy]

I do think it's probably a good idea to make sure that the design fits with the layout of the park. I've also seen roads and bridges that have been changed or rebuilt where the number of lanes were reduced and more space for pedestrians were added, and those changes are often for the better. It seems like the proposed changes shouldn't take long to figure out.

[guy2073]

Originally Posted by MountainDewGuy

I do think it's probably a good idea to make sure that the design fits with the layout of the park. I've also seen roads and bridges that have been changed or rebuilt where the number of lanes were reduced and more space for pedestrians were added, and those changes are often for the better. It seems like the proposed changes shouldn't take long to figure out.

They could remove the one sidewalk and go with three lanes instead of four with overhead lights for peak traffic like greentree road by the parkway. That will remove 15 to 20 feet on the width. They can then use stone look forms on the bridge piers. It won't be pretty but it will be better than a plain concrete bridge.

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by guy2073

The city should slow the bridge down. They should spend the time to float bonds and hire their own company to design and build it themselves. Maybe the money saved will keep 79 from being tolled.

Save money? Not a chance. That money is going to be spent one way or another.

Originally Posted by guy2073

They could remove the one sidewalk and go with three lanes instead of four with overhead lights for peak traffic like greentree road by the parkway. That will remove 15 to 20 feet on the width. They can then use stone look forms on the bridge piers. It won't be pretty but it will be better than a plain concrete bridge.

Excellent assessment…but you’re talking about a bunch of clowns that could’ve fixed the bridge for $1.5M and now have put themselves in the position they’re in. They were obviously more concerned with bike lanes than bridges.