Lamar Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge Facility - Phase One

CIP 825-607-2050

Summary

In 1984, voters approved a project to widen the existing Lamar Boulevard Bridge over Town Lake from 4 lanes to 6 lanes. On March 6, 1997 the City Council took a decision not to add travel lanes and voted to proceed with pedestrian and bicycle improvements. In September of 1998, City Council approved an option of a separate bridge. The City Council authorized HDR Engineering to provide design phase services in January 1999. The design phase was completed after obtaining TxDOT approvals.

This project will provide a pedestrian and bicycle bridge on the East Side of the Lamar Boulevard Bridge over Town Lake. The current funding is sufficient for Phase One that includes the bridge over the Town Lake and the bridge over César Chávez Street up to the south side of the Railroad Bridge at 3rd street.

Status

The project is bidding and the bids are due on February 10.

Issues

Federal ISTEA "Enhancement" funding ($953,252) has been approved for pedestrian/bicycle facilities. This funding is available as long as design phase is completed by August of 2000.

$6.3 million in bonds have been authorized, but not issued, for this project. $1.7 million has been sold for preliminary and final design, management and environmental assessment.

Description

The proposed project will address capacity needs for pedestrians and bicyclists at the Lamar Boulevard Bridge and connect the hike and bike trails at north and south end.

Phase Two includes the extension from South of 3rd & Lamar to the intersection of 5th and Lamar. Union Pacific Railroad will not allow at grade crossing. Therefore it is necessary to have a tunnel under the rail road bridge. Funding for Phase Two is not available.

Basic Data