I was there a couple weeks ago. The deck was in pretty bad shape. It's hard to tell in this picture, but the marked up part is actually a foot-high bump where I guess they pulled back the decking to block off access to the construction site.

14917

Are they replacing the deck with wood beams again or going with something different?

It's kind of like the Royal Gorge Bridge. I believe they replace those beams once a year or every 2 years.

Still regret them omitting the cables.

They should probably consider replacing the deck with some sort of engineered composite wood material instead so that it would last much, much longer. At least, I'd like to see something like that used here, if we're gonna spend 3/4 of a million dollars every several years to replace the decking...

They should probably consider replacing the deck with some sort of engineered composite wood material instead so that it would last much, much longer. At least, I'd like to see something like that used here, if we're gonna spend 3/4 of a million dollars every several years to replace the decking...
Was thinking the same. Technology has made product like this awfully attractive in the past several years. I do remember thinking at the time of completion how beautiful the wood was, but obviously it is a major maintenance concern.

Didn't they already have to do a bunch of repairs to the deck not long after the bridge opened?

^^^^^^^^
https://newsok.com/article/5342714/deck-buckles-on-oklahoma-citys-skydance-bridge

Wenger said workers may be able to salvage enough material from the damaged spot to make the repair. In the meantime, he said, the city has ordered additional decking for a permanent fix.

So the permanent fix lasted all of four years.

And I'm not sure this was the only time repairs were performed.

Am I the only one who liked the aroma of the bridge? It was almost like a flower or fruity smell.

According to a guy I went to school with, the engineer who designed it is a civil engineering professor at OU and would namedrop how he designed Skydance at least once a week in class so it always makes him laugh to see it on the news.

Yeah, he was my professor too, but he was the structural engineer. I have a feeling the architect picked out the deck material...

Yeah, he was my professor too, but he was the structural engineer. I have a feeling the architect picked out the deck material...

The architect is now dean of the OUCoA

The City needs to strengthen the Skydance Bridge if it means paying $2-$4 million or more to use the cables to suspend it. Right now this looks like a recurring problem. IIFC the cables were actually needed for support?

I don't think the bridge strength is in question

^^^^^^^^^
It’s not. The bridge was completely re-engineered when ODOT balked at having a suspension bridge spanning I-40. The bridge is completely sound structurally. The issue is with the material used for the decking (called Gluelam), which was supposed to be more durable. Perhaps also maintenance; I don’t know.

But the problem is clearly water intrusion causing warping and other degradation. Which is why something with more plastic content - similar to what is most often used these days for backyard decks - might make sense.

If they wanted to spend a ton of money on a natural product they could use something like teak, but that would require way more maintenance, such as oiling regularly.

^^^^^^^^^
It’s not. The bridge was completely re-engineered when ODOT balked at having a suspension bridge spanning I-40. The bridge is completely sound structurally. The issue is with the material used for the decking (called Gluelam), which was supposed to be more durable. Perhaps also maintenance; I don’t know.

But the problem is clearly water intrusion causing warping and other degradation. Which is why something with more plastic content - similar to what is most often used these days for backyard decks - might make sense.

If they wanted to spend a ton of money on a natural product they could use something like teak, but that would require way more maintenance, such as oiling regularly.

im still disappointed that this wasn’t built as a suspension bridge. It still turned out cool, but the original design was so much cooler.

But the problem is clearly water intrusion causing warping and other degradation. Which is why something with more plastic content - similar to what is most often used these days for backyard decks - might make sense.

If they wanted to spend a ton of money on a natural product they could use something like teak, but that would require way more maintenance, such as oiling regularly.

Plastic would be easier to clean than wood, and it is regularly tagged with graffiti.

im still disappointed that this wasn’t built as a suspension bridge. It still turned out cool, but the original design was so much cooler.
Same.. or even still included the cable portion even if not for support but for balance in design would have made me happy.

im still disappointed that this wasn’t built as a suspension bridge. It still turned out cool, but the original design was so much cooler.

Agree 100%. Important to note that the decision on that was pretty much forced by ODOT.

That's a lot of money for a bridge that hasn't really had much use the first 6 years of its existance. I almost say they should have just poured a deck and called it good. They could have got fancy with a stained concrete deck.

im still disappointed that this wasn’t built as a suspension bridge. It still turned out cool, but the original design was so much cooler.

I'm with you on the original design; those cables IMO would have defined the bridge itself.

^^^ I wrote a letter to the editor of the OKlahoman that was published when this all went down. The original design was great and I was peeved that we cheaped out on something that was supposed to define our city/be a statement piece. Our statement in this case was we take the cheap road.

^^^ I wrote a letter to the editor of the OKlahoman that was published when this all went down. The original design was great and I was peeved that we cheaped out on something that was supposed to define our city/be a statement piece. Our statement in this case was we take the cheap road.

That's not entirely the case here... ODOT forced changes to the structure as they were concerned about the ability to drive maintenance vehicles onto the bridge when work was necessary. This caused the design change from a light suspension bridge to a heavier truss bridge. Along with other design change requirements, a structure that was originally expected to only cost $5.2MM soon skyrocketed to an estimated cost of $12.8MM. That caused more changes needed to significantly reduce the cost back down to the assigned budget of $6.8MM. Had ODOT not thrown a fit and had the bridge been built as designed, it likely would have come in under budget.

https://newsok.com/article/3508495/s...-be-redesigned

This article from The Oklahoman states that it will be "lightweight concrete panels".

https://newsok.com/article/5610209/buckling-issues-prompt-plans-to-replace-skydance-bridges-wooden-deck

no other details in that article unfortunately. "lightweight concrete" sounds thin/breakable and hazardous to the cars/trains below. hopefully not the case.

I’ve seen a lot of lightweight concrete used in the upper floors of buildings over the years. I’ve never seen it without having a steel sheet/floor under it for support. I would assume the bridge would be done that way.

oh good

we should make ODOT pay for the difference to redo the floor of this bridge as well as to build to the original design. It's ODOTs fault for the cost escalation since they 'need' to drive vehicles between two parks across it. ... So they should have (and should) pay. Back then the climate was probably not right to 'question' ODOTs authority and decision making but TODAY is new day where even ODOT is held in check and likely couldn't make the same mistake here or with the OKC blvd for that matter. Make ODOT add in the cables and redo the floor, it's their fault both items were deleted/built on the cheap.

I loved it too, but the ship has sailed on the original design. Skydance was built when it was so that it could be done before the highway opened. I don't see it being feasible to build another bridge. Now, if they wanted to build a TWIN skydance, say over the river, using the original design, say over by wheeler, then yes, let's do that.

I loved it too, but the ship has sailed on the original design. Skydance was built when it was so that it could be done before the highway opened. I don't see it being feasible to build another bridge. Now, if they wanted to build a TWIN skydance, say over the river, using the original design, say over by wheeler, then yes, let's do that.

I've always thought a series of pedestrian bridges crossing the river at key points, like by the docks, would elevate the river as an attraction. If they used interesting design and LED lights, I think it would make those boat cruises a lot more appealing and it would be nice to be able to cross the river without going up to the street bridges.

There is a plan (though I don't know if it's approved or funded) to turn those abandoned rail tracks into a pedestrian bridge in between Western and Exchange. But yes, more of those would be great.

Pretty sure that plan is approved, but not sure if funded (but thought it was)

From Pete's post (http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=43956&p=1050480#post1050480) over in the Better Streets Thread (http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=43956):


Projects Planned

Trails: Trail from Agnew across the Oklahoma River on abandoned rail

Very cool. I'll tell everyone it was my idea.

Did I miss a post saying the city was closing the pedestrian bridge? We were down at ScissorTail Park Saturday late afternoon, and wanted to take the kids on a walk over the highway, but the entrances on both sides were gated off.

Also, standing at the top of the hill at the entrance of the pedestrian bridge looking north towards the Convention Center, the Omni hotel, Chesapeake Arena and the rest of downtown, looks so great. I can't wait to see more infill and density around this area.

^

They had set money aside to replace the bridge deck that is badly warped, so the closing may be about that.

And if so, why they couldn't do this when the bridge was effectively closed for 2 years for park construction is hard to understand.

^

...
And if so, why they couldn't do this when the bridge was effectively closed for 2 years for park construction is hard to understand.

Pete, you've lived here longer than a few months, surely you understand... :)

agreed, poor project management

Damn, are the entrances legit gated off now? They had the south end fenced off a couple weeks ago but it was fairly easy to step around. Disappointing. Much more enjoyable to take this bridge than the Robinson overpass when crossing I-40 to get between the park and the river trails, IMO.

Are they doing a full replace with different materials? Or just replacing the old wood with new wood? Also, the benches on the bridge were in need of repair. I would like to see a better material installed.

I believe the plan was to use synthetic decking rather than natural wood.

I believe the plan was to use synthetic decking rather than natural wood.

That would be an improvement, IMO. Also, I would again like to suggest that with this bridge getting more foot traffic (especially once the south end of the park opens in a couple of years), they should really think about raising the barriers a bit more, as I feel they are fairly low for a bridge that is crossing a 12-lane highway. But I'm sure that's much more complicated than the work they're currently doing.

This bridge is still closed. City of OKC Twitter feed says it will remain closed until summer at earliest.
West River Trail also closed for foreseeable future.
Infrastructure maintenance is a real challenge for OKC.

Really can't believe they had years and years to do these bridge repairs while the park was being built and decided instead to close it for over half a year less than two months after the first part of the park opened.

It also doesn't make me feel like the new pedestrian bridge on NW Expressway will get much maintenance love, once built.
I hope I am wrong.

Duplicates

If nothing else, at least the city is maintaining that stretch of Expressway now so ODOT can't mess with the design of that bridge like they did with Skydance.

I noticed a lot of people (looked like park-goers, not workers) were walking around on the bridge yesterday afternoon. Either the bridge is open or they bypassed barriers.

I noticed a lot of people (looked like park-goers, not workers) were walking around on the bridge yesterday afternoon. Either the bridge is open or they bypassed barriers.

Skydance bridge still has fencing up as of this evening. Maybe you are thinking of the bridge in Scissortail Park?

Skydance bridge still has fencing up as of this evening. Maybe you are thinking of the bridge in Scissortail Park?

Nope, it was Skydance. There were several families hanging out/walking around as I drove under it on I-40. They must have bypassed the barriers.

Took this yesterday; looks like it is fully open:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/skydance021920a.jpg

From Facebook:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/skydance022120a.jpg

From Facebook:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/skydance022120a.jpg

Well that says a lot about OKC’s upkeep ability.

I wonder if that sign passed by the city attorney's office?

Seems like a huge liability - do they expect a blind person to be able to read that sign? I don't think that would hold up in court, however I am glad to see they at least are open to "looking the other way" if it's going to be a while before they start working on it again in earnest.

See the city's response to Steve's retweet of my tweet...

https://twitter.com/stevelackmeyer/status/1231386533275611136

So the bridge is closed, but there are no barriers to it?

The bigger question is why this wasn't handled some time ago, when the bridge was closed for the park construction.

Now, they have delayed the repairs again.

Wow, that sign is the dumbest thing I have seen this week. They should have left it fully closed as a reminder of poor planning.


I wonder if that sign passed by the city attorney's office?

Seems like a huge liability - do they expect a blind person to be able to read that sign? I don't think that would hold up in court, however I am glad to see they at least are open to "looking the other way" if it's going to be a while before they start working on it again in earnest.

Yeah, I thought that means the city is admitting that it could be dangerous, but not doing anything to physically protect from injury.

I took just enough business law classes to be dangerous, but I remember being told that posting a sign that says “We’re not responsible” doesn’t mean that they’re not responsible.

I took just enough business law classes to be dangerous, but I remember being told that posting a sign that says “We’re not responsible” doesn’t mean that they’re not responsible.

Just like being behind a dumptruck that says "Not responsible for broken windshields if following closer than 200 feet."

It is always the driver's responsibility to ensure their load is secured. The signs are just there to deter insurance claims.