Can't wait to see who the first victim of falling ice from the scissortail will be. I hope it is whoever had the idea of putting an ice catcher over the freeway.

Can't wait to see who the first victim of falling ice from the scissortail will be. I hope it is whoever had the idea of putting an ice catcher over the freeway.

Yeah, ice falling from the structure onto a moving vehicle possibly causing a pileup will be funny... ::end sarcasm::

If only OKC had that many trees...

Can't wait to see who the first victim of falling ice from the scissortail will be. I hope it is whoever had the idea of putting an ice catcher over the freeway.

Any sign, bridge, power lines or tree over any highway is an ice catcher, what's the difference..?

The amount of surface area that is parallel with the sky is pretty minimal. In addition, any of these areas appear to also be small enough that it would likely not result in anything significant sluffing off.

However, I am looking forward to the photos of icicles hanging from and thus lighting up from the bridge.

Can't wait to see who the first victim of falling ice from the scissortail will be. I hope it is whoever had the idea of putting an ice catcher over the freeway.

This is actually how it is being promoted to the world: Oklahoma City places first structure over roadway that is capable of catching ice and snow, as well as forming it's own icicles. The designer recently stated "it was a privilege to be part of such a historic project. No one has ever put a structure over a roadway before. It will be interesting to see what happens when it snows or ices. Hopefully it won't be too bad and it will show that cities like New York, Boston, Chicago and pretty much all of Canada can finally move forward with building major bridges and overpasses while including adequate signage over their roadways. A revolution in road and bridge construction has begin in Oklahoma City with this project."

Post #1707 is just too funny.....now some on here may take this serious.

I'm happy to report that the bridge was spotless on Saturday. I don't know how they remove paint from the wood, but they can, and it looks great.

And as soon as I say this...

This is actually how it is being promoted to the world: Oklahoma City places first structure over roadway that is capable of catching ice and snow, as well as forming it's own icicles. The designer recently stated "it was a privilege to be part of such a historic project. No one has ever put a structure over a roadway before. It will be interesting to see what happens when it snows or ices. Hopefully it won't be too bad and it will show that cities like New York, Boston, Chicago and pretty much all of Canada can finally move forward with building major bridges and overpasses while including adequate signage over their roadways. A revolution in road and bridge construction has begin in Oklahoma City with this project."

That's brilliant.

I happened to ride my bike over the bridge this weekend and found the treads to be very uneven, in fact, washboard-like to the extreme, from end-to-end. I've ridden over it many times in the past, but not in a couple of months. This was a stunner.

Any idea what may have caused this, and what the city is doing to solve the problem?

^

Wood expanding / contracting due to extreme temps?

I happened to ride my bike over the bridge this weekend and found the treads to be very uneven, in fact, washboard-like to the extreme, from end-to-end. I've ridden over it many times in the past, but not in a couple of months. This was a stunner.

Any idea what may have caused this, and what the city is doing to solve the problem?

How do you know that the city is aware of the problem? Have you tried relaying that information to anyone at the city?

Although there can't be any harm in a citizen reporting a problem, doesn't the City have employees that routinely look after City property?

I happened to ride my bike over the bridge this weekend and found the treads to be very uneven, in fact, washboard-like to the extreme, from end-to-end. I've ridden over it many times in the past, but not in a couple of months. This was a stunner.

Any idea what may have caused this, and what the city is doing to solve the problem?

Not sure if this is the same issue, but when I rode over it during the Moonlight Bike Ride last month I was bouncing vigorously across the entire thing in an uncomfortably regular fashion, lol.

Came across a blog entry by a retired couple who are traveling the country. They stopped in OKC and took some good nighttime pics of the Skydance bridge:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eBCVgRJFrAc/UiTqGS-8QpI/AAAAAAAAAY8/PgCn6tZiY2c/s1600/DSC_1129.JPG

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jKgeKeDFE5A/UiTp89WG4nI/AAAAAAAAAY0/moveEdKAyAU/s1600/DSC_1123.JPG

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lGCbHM0jzzc/UiTqKU0CxuI/AAAAAAAAAZE/yM_P4AozHFs/s1600/DSC_1127.JPG

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fr5hT5aSCXU/UiTpzoLr_XI/AAAAAAAAAYs/GoXxOlV6nB0/s1600/DSC_1119.JPG

Source: Lovin-Our-Life Adventures: OKC at Night (http://lovinourlife3d.blogspot.com/2013/09/okc-at-night.html)

I've traveled I-40 from end to end and I have to say the Skydance bridge is easily one of if not the most memorable man-made landmarks along the entire stretch.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fr5hT5aSCXU/UiTpzoLr_XI/AAAAAAAAAYs/GoXxOlV6nB0/s1600/DSC_1119.JPG

Source: Lovin-Our-Life Adventures: OKC at Night (http://lovinourlife3d.blogspot.com/2013/09/okc-at-night.html)

Now that is one cool image.

I've traveled I-40 from end to end and I have to say the Skydance bridge is easily one of if not the most memorable man-made landmarks along the entire stretch.

The Skydance stands out, but the buried caddy's just west of Amarillo and the giant cross at Groom do too.

What's so cool about the Skydance is that we got it so soon. As part of the I40 relocation and the Core2Shore park, it could very well have not been put up for another 3 or 4 years or so. But since ODOT did not want to deal with adding it on to an in-use highway, we got it right away.

Now since Devon happened to be building their tower at just about the same time... bang! We get two great new skyline additions at once. What a jackpot!

Trouble is, we're already a bit used to it by now. Skyline additions are addicting -- once you get some, you just want more.

Some family was in from out of town and when we drove under it during the day they thought it was a construction crane. One person asked, "are they keeping that up?" I like it personally, but without cables I think a lot of people are confused.

I'm confused at how frustrated I should be that someone would confuse that bridge with a crane. Not seeing it in the slightest. But oh well? :)

Its got a lot of cladding on it for a construction crane. :p

Maybe we should rename it the (WHAT THE IS THAT THING?) bridge.

I'll be honest, It's hard for me to really love this bridge when I know what it could have been. Like many things in this city, it is good, but not great. It's merely an acceptable substitute for a bridge that would have been truly world-class as originally designed.

I'll be honest, It's hard for me to really love this bridge when I know what it could have been. Like many things in this city, it is good, but not great. It's merely an acceptable substitute for a bridge that would have been truly world-class as originally designed.Sucks. . . :/

It's interesting, I drove with my cousins around town this past week and when driving under the Skydance brdige at night, one of them looked up and said, "Holy $h!t, that is awesome!" They drove all the way from South Carolina and that is the coolest thing they saw on or near the highway of their way here.

It is cool, but this would've been better, imo.

http://skydancebridge.com/images/main/images/skybridge_13.jpg
http://skydancebridge.com/images/bigImages/bridge7.jpg
Butzer Design Partnership (http://skydancebridge.com/images.html)

The one we have now is alright, but it could've been better, much better, imo. It is the same situation with Aloft, it sucks that they went the cheap route and didn't use granite. I actually wouldn't mind if they opened in mid-2014 if it means they would do granite instead of this cheap crap they are using now. It really shouldn't of taken them this long anyways.

The change has been made because the truss option is considerably cheaper. The estimated cost of the cable-stayed bridge with its 18-storey sculptural tower had risen from US$5.2 million to US$12.8 million as the design evolved. The project's engineering and architectural team MKEC/SXL was asked to redesign the bridge to remain within the US$6.8 million budget.
Oklahoma votes to change Skydance Bridge design - Bridge Design & Engineering (http://www.bridgeweb.com/MemberPages/article.aspx?&id=2136&typeid=1)

Cheap, cheap, cheap, and more cheap. Awesome!

It's interesting, I drove with my cousins around town this past week and when driving under the Skydance brdige at night, one of them looked up and said, "Holy $h!t, that is awesome!" They drove all the way from South Carolina and that is the coolest thing they saw on or near the highway of their way here.

Both of my nephews from Phoenix said the same. The one is a little bit hipster, and he couldn't believe it was so cool.

It is cool, but this would've been better, imo.

http://skydancebridge.com/images/main/images/skybridge_13.jpg
http://skydancebridge.com/images/bigImages/bridge7.jpg
Butzer Design Partnership (http://skydancebridge.com/images.html)

The one we have now is alright, but it could've been better, much better, imo. It is the same situation with Aloft, it sucks that they went the cheap route and didn't use granite. I actually wouldn't mind if they opened in mid-2014 if it means they would do granite instead of this cheap crap they are using now. It really shouldn't of taken them this long anyways.

The longer they wait to open aLoft, the less it would make sense to use Granite. It was an unforeseen cost issue rather than a time that caused aLoft to change.

The longer they wait to open aLoft, the less it would make sense to use Granite. It was an unforeseen cost issue rather than a time that caused aLoft to change.I guess, the whole situation just sucks though. From a business standpoint, I suppose you have to do what is feasible. I also would've prefer a central air and heat instead of the window units. This building seems like it is being built really well though and should be a great asset for DD and the entire city. I think it will be somewhat of a landmark.

lol... Obviously some of you have a bias towards the bridge because it didn't turn out the way you wanted it. Personally, everytime they show it on TV during NBA playoffs it's more people that see this VERY DISTINCTIVE bridge and know that without a doubt it's in OKC. Even if you hate it or don't know how to describe it, you remember it... And, I would also venture a very educated guess that the people that DON'T like it are in the extreme minority.

lol... Obviously some of you have a bias towards the bridge because it didn't turn out the way you wanted it. Personally, everytime they show it on TV during NBA playoffs it's more people that see this VERY DISTINCTIVE bridge and know that without a doubt it's in OKC. Even if you hate it or don't know how to describe it, you remember it... And, I would also venture a very educated guess that the people that DON'T like it are in the extreme minority.its not that I don't like it, I just think the original design was better.

I'm confused at how frustrated I should be that someone would confuse that bridge with a crane. Not seeing it in the slightest. But oh well? :)

I can see both sides of it...it all depends on the time of day it is viewed...I can certainly see the "construction crane" or "tornado twisted oil derrick" if seen during daylight hours traveling under it at 60 miles per hour...now if it is viewed at night, all lit up, it becomes a work of art...

On a positive side I do love the latest pics (post #1716) with the very dramatic dark blue clouds (real or photoshopped?)

I can see both sides of it...it all depends on the time of day it is viewed...I can certainly see the "construction crane" or "tornado twisted oil derrick" if seen during daylight hours traveling under it at 60 miles per hour...now if it is viewed at night, all lit up, it becomes a work of art...

On a positive side I do love the latest pics (post #1716) with the very dramatic dark blue clouds (real or photoshopped?)

The comment was made by someone who saw it during the day traveling at 60 mph. I don't think anyone would say that passing by it lit up at night.

The comment was made by someone who saw it during the day traveling at 60 mph. I don't think anyone would say that passing by it lit up at night.

You're correct...everything in OKC looks drab during the day time. OKC shines at night!

http://www.vellorecmc.org/GOTC%202013/GOTC2.jpg

Source: GOTC 2013 - Oklahoma City (http://www.vellorecmc.org/GOTC2013.htm)

I'll be honest, It's hard for me to really love this bridge when I know what it could have been. Like many things in this city, it is good, but not great. It's merely an acceptable substitute for a bridge that would have been truly world-class as originally designed.

You can blame that entirely on ODOT and city engineers with no spine to take them on. It should have been a suspension bridge.

You can blame that entirely on ODOT and city engineers with no spine to take them on. It should have been a suspension bridge.

Or you can blame it on the cost more than doubling over the original estimate. The Oklahoma City Council is amending the SkyDance Bridge design after cost projections doubled (http://www.okgazette.com/oklahoma/article-7098-the-oklahoma-city-council-is-amending-the-skydance-bridge-design-after-cost-projections-doubled.html)

Some of which you can blame on ODOT adding higher weight capacity and not waiving the made in America clause, but I'm not sure why you want to throw city engineers under the bus.

They let ODOT change the requirements thus increasing the cost without any resistance.

I'll be honest, It's hard for me to really love this bridge when I know what it could have been. Like many things in this city, it is good, but not great. It's merely an acceptable substitute for a bridge that would have been truly world-class as originally designed.

Agree, another underfunded project that just doen't seem quite right. Without the suspension system along with what ended up being a space frame it does appear to be a construction crane...

I don't get construction crane at all...

I see an awesome icon for Oklahoma City.

I don't get construction crane at all...

I see an awesome icon for Oklahoma City.

Obviously, it looks like a pair of scissors more than a crane, lol.

The suspension bridge concept would have been cool, but unless they were going to light up the strands, I would be hard pressed to say the old design is far and above better.

I agree, no matter what you think about it, it has definitely become an icon for this city. The whole 40 Crosstown is really quite good, actually.

My biggest design issue is that the bridges and walls of I-40 have a vintage feel and the Skydance bridge looks so very modern. I love the bridge, even sans suspension ( although it would have been amazing as a suspension bridge) but to me it or the other bridges look out of place.

I'll be honest, It's hard for me to really love this bridge when I know what it could have been. Like many things in this city, it is good, but not great. It's merely an acceptable substitute for a bridge that would have been truly world-class as originally designed.
I feel ya. I still think it is pretty cool. BTW, did I see you at St. Anthony earlier this week?

I feel ya. I still think it is pretty cool. BTW, did I see you at St. Anthony earlier this week?

Yea. The caf cooks a mean (and inexpensive) breakfast. Next time come over and said hi.

Oklahoma City's SkyDance Bridge To Receive Upgrade - News9.com (http://www.news9.com/story/25225321/oklahoma-citys-skydance-bridge-to-receive-upgrade)

Hopefully they will keep schedule. Be a shame if some glitch killed the lights throughout the festival of arts.

Calling all SCADA/ICS hackers... you can now have your own light show...

I know it will be orange in observance of construction worker awareness week.

Hopefully they will keep schedule. Be a shame if some glitch killed the lights throughout the festival of arts.

Or worse, the playoffs...

Went over there today and saw a lot of graffiti and trash. Also the security camera was rendered useless.


Classic shot:
http://imageshack.com/a/img742/2051/nDOgwx.jpg


Trash:
http://imageshack.com/a/img537/3108/oeMsUQ.jpg



Burnout marks:
http://imageshack.com/a/img538/6296/NyZvqj.jpg


Something tells me this shouldn't be pointed downward...
http://imageshack.com/a/img537/502/y8TRA5.jpg

Hopefully when the park is completed and in use that will become less likely.

I suppose, in retrospect, that the original, artistic, design of this pedestrian structure shouldn't have been cheapened by the compromise of fiscal responsibility on the part of The Deciders. In addition to that, the litterers might, in the future consider buying better beer and removing their litter, voluntarily.

Edited to Add: Super Nice Pics--even if not totally satisfactory. Thank You.

Oh! Bottom Line?: Hooligans. Whaddaya gonna do?
(there were probably fingerprints on the bottles)

Was the Anti-Low-Maintenance Choice of Wood in a Hostile Natural Environment for a Winsome Façade ever considered during the planning and execution phases?
Apparently not. =)

Are their trash recepticles close by to place refuse?

whomever left the skid marks appears to have scared somebody first.

psssh... obviously a metallic mint green 1964 buick skylark.

http://rossvross.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/mycousinvinny.jpg

...yeah, i think you mean '63 pontiac tempest. -M

psssh... obviously a metallic mint green 1964 buick skylark.

http://rossvross.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/mycousinvinny.jpg

...yeah, i think you mean '63 pontiac tempest. -M

***I--DENTICAL***

Brilliant!
Thanks for starting my day off with an LOL! :D

Me as well as many others have parked their cars their for a bit to take some pictures with the bridge in the background. It really makes for a nice shot.

This bridge was dead to me the second the suspension cables were removed from the plans. I drive under it at least twice a day and I unpurposefully dont even notice it. Wasted opportunity and money. (I've said it a millions times and I'll keep saying it every time this thread is bumped, Pete can ban me if he wants too)