A Few More Details About Three-Day Long Wingding Set to Open Margaret Hunt Hill

By Robert Wilonsky Wed., Oct. 12 2011 at 5:13 PM

Photo by Jay Pritchard

Just heard a little-girl yelp coming from Schutze's office; he must have received the same email I just did concerning the opening-weekend ceremonies scheduled March 2-4 for The Santiago Calatrava Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge to Ray's. We've known this was coming for a while now, and there's another press conference for Friday concerning a separate "Bridge-o-Rama" event involving the West Dallas Chamber, the Kessler, La Reunion and the CityDesign Studio. But today's announcement is a separate thing altogether -- the Trinity Trust's Official Wingding full of bold-faced named (Ron Kirk, Laura Miller, Tom Leppert, Kay Bailey Hutchison, Pete Sessons, Eddie Bernice Johnson) and price tags for parties. As in:

The Friday night event on the bridge (promising "food, fireworks and festivities") is open to all ... all, that is, who can afford the $200 ticket. Then, from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday is the 8th Annual Trinity River Levee Run (5K and 10K), followed immediately by what's being billed as the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge Celebration Street Fair that runs till 9. Then, on Sunday at 7:15 a.m., comes the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge Celebration Sunrise Blessing and Ribbon Cutting. Schutze will preside from the side of his solar-powered water taxi.

There's also a new tagline for the whole thing: "Bridging The Trinity: For The Love Of The City." In other words: Suspense, it would seem, is no longer building, right, event chair Lynn McBee? "The Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge changes the landscape of the Dallas skyline and is a marker for the Trinity River Corridor. The opening celebration will be the first time citizens can walk on the bridge, while also enjoying a weekend of festivities and city pride." There you go, citizens.

We Recommend

aggie91

yea for Dallas. Glad the bridge is done and now perhaps we can move on to the lakes and bike trails. I had a lot of problems with this bridge early on but it is a beautiflul and iconic work or art that should do a lot to help bridge the divide between North and South Dallas. Also, this type of bridge will last about twice as long as a standard TXDOT Bridge.

I guess some people get a kick out of putting down any and everything the city may do and perhaps they really would rather live in a gray city that just spent money on the things we "really" need rather then every buing something that also looks good. But, i am not one of them. Do I want the city to fix the pot holes in the streets sure... but I also want to live in a beautiful city.

So... Yea for the Hunt Hill Bridge, yea for Woodall Rodgers Deck Park and yea for the Hike and bike trails around the city.

Sybils_Beaver

please explain how this type of bridge will last longer that a TxDot bridge, Facts please. As far as I know the only thing different about this bridge is the Italian steel. I didnt realize they used some special concrete for all the piers buried into the levee or the support beams and actual roads driven on.

Pretty Perry

From what I understand, the cable stayed portion is suspended with no concrete piers that would normally be in the way of fast moving water and debris during floodstage. The suspended road deck is out of touch with the water, currrents and general wear and tear that would be present if piers were immersed in the floodwaters. Those piers would wear down quicker. I also am impressed with the architecture but wish we could get rid of the ONCOR eyesores in the transmission plant at the foot of the bridge on the westside and those awful Oncor line towers.

Sybils_Beaver

not hating bro, just saying, the only thing those cables are supporting is the arch homey. The are not supporting the actual functioning portion of the bridge, DUH

Pretty Perry

Duh - your Bing image means nothing. If you notice there are supports holding the road deck until the cables are tensioned and then they were removed.

Ryan Redwood

Haters - go look up the definition of a cable stayed bridge. This bridge is an engineering feat and I am glad it is here in Dallas.

Sybils_Beaver

Fake suspension bridge buddy. No part of the cables do anything except hold up the giant erection of an arch. Is all dress and no function. It is in fact a typical TxDot bridge, it just cost a shitload more money.

check out this photo, what is all that concrete buried in the river and floodplain, looks like pillars to me

http://www.bing.com/images/sea...

Sybils_Beaver

It is in fact a fake suspension bridge. Its a normal pier bridge with giant ornament stuffed on top of it.

Dallas Diner

It was my understanding that this isn't actually a suspension bridge. The cables are basically cosmetic; the bridge part is a pretty standard concrete pillar supported bridge. One of you engineers please jump in and correct me if I'm wrong.

Ed D.

Sure, all we have to do is either get everybody in West Dallas off the grid, either through personal solar/wind conversion or a willingness to pretend its 1875.

MattL1

Leppert? That you?

Scruffygeist

So on March 2nd Dallas becomes world-class?

Catbird

excelent point, are we there yet?

Montemalone

Your headlines so often provide horrifying mental images.

Harvey

Are they keeping the fish net up on that thing or what?

Bent Rims

Can I get a bridge from downtown to Midway and Walnut Hill? Calatrava or whatever would be fine.

Or, you could just repave the fucking streets.

Tom L (No, Not That L)

I like your idea, only you misspelled "Skillman and Northwest Highway". ;)

Or, they could just repave the fucking streets.

Titus Groan

I smell Internet Dallas meme.

Or, they could just repave the fucking streets.

KoeniginLuisevonPreussen

Wait wait wait you guys are all wrong.

HOW ABOUT IF THEY REPAVE THE MUTHAFUCKIN STREETS MUTHAFUCKA SHIZZNIZZLEDAWG4REALYO4EVERSHEEEEEEEIT

Bob

What is it with you people who snarkily dismiss the folks who live and work across the Trinity in West Dallas? Just how superior are you, anyway?

elbueno

I don't think anyone is snarking at the people of West Dallas or people who will actually use this bridge. I live across the river and will happily use the bridge when its opened.

I think the cynicism comes from the fact that this was never really about the people of West Dallas or the people who will actually use the bridge...it's always been a glamour project for the politicians and the rich donors. Its about a postcard image. Simple as that.

The other sad thing is that these activities going on the bridge will the first and only time that there will be pedestrians on this bridge.

Dallas Diner

My greatest fear of the bridge opening is that the powers-that-be will then decide that Ray's Sporting Goods doesn't fit the gentrified look they are aiming for and try to close it down. Me love me some Ray's!

Branden Helms

Just when I thought Dallas doesn't have enough freeways, here comes the named-after-someone-with-too-much-money bridge to West Dallas. Maybe the Occupy Dallas guys should camp here, since I doubt there will be a huge amount of traffic here.