UP probably has a rule where you can't have human powered mechical devices under their right of way. So no bikes. lol
UP probably has a rule where you can't have human powered mechical devices under their right of way. So no bikes. lol
Here's the thing, Urban. You know I read the article, and the problem with it is that the plural of anecdote is not data. Just because the city didn't work with UP in one instance does not mean it never does or did not this time. From the original article about the problem posted in the Oklahoma River Development thread:
Unless this Kristy Yager person is straight up lying, the issue sounds to me like it was on UP's side.OKC spokesperson Kristy Yager says the city has been working with Union Pacific for years, but the railroad says it didn't even know the tunnel existed until last week. Yager chalks the confusion up to a communication breakdown.
"We've got pages of documentation that we've worked with them over the last two years," Yager said. "We just now need to talk to our new contact [at Union Pacific]."
I've known her for years, and Kristy is one of the most dedicated, well-intentioned and honest people I know at the City. As far as I have ever known, she doesn't make a habit of lying.
You're taking the railroad's statements in the first article at face value. FWIW, there was litigation associated with the other case, in which the City prevailed. My point is that there seems to be a pattern at work.
catch22: your ideas seem reasonable and an improvement...and maybe already be in the works, the finishing touches...
Agree on the signage, though they just finished the groundwork so that may be to come, I know the boathouse district is about to be doing a lot in there area but not sure if they are doing any west of the bridge.
The plan had a staircase at one point, possibly cut due to budget. They also left space for if they want to add an elevator later as well.
Stairs and elevator both cut due to budget.
ADA compliance, wheel chair access. Not everyone is a fully functional bi-ped.
Is future funding to complete the stairs and elevator being seeked?
Nm
The elevator was an add alternate and was cut early. The stairs were value engineered from the project when the project's budget got tight. I don't think anyone is currently pursuing funding for either, but might be wrong about that. The switchbacks were an ADA requirement, as kevinpate suggests. That was the single element that HAD to be built.
There's an ADA compliant sidewalk from the parking lot. No need for two of them...
One serves the parking lot, one the canal. I'm not certain (don't recall) if the one to the parking lot is ADA-compliant. The other one definitely is.
^^ It is.
One thing I meant to add in my original post. The freeway noise from the tunnel is hardly noticeable. You'd imagine it would be noisy, but it is actually very quiet and peaceful in the tunnel.
Bricktown-river link on track for March
Apparent progress on this issue, though I cannot read it...
This is from Molly Flemings article in the Journal.
When the water returns to the Bricktown Canal, the city plans to have the connection between Bricktown and the Oklahoma River open to visitors.
The connection was slated to open on Oct. 1. Then, on the morning of the grand opening, the Union Pacific Railroad – owner of the bridge over the river connection – said the inspections were not complete and refused approval. The connection was opened twice temporarily for special events.
The bridge has since been inspected and approved by the railroad. The two entities are now working on the right-of-entry agreement.
Oklahoma City Public Works Department Director Eric Wenger said the city and the railroad have been reviewing agreements since that time and are close to signing on the dotted line.
He said the debacle with the opening was due to the retirement of Union Pacific employees who were working on the project, as the city had ongoing communications with the company.
“We were negotiating the agreement (before the scheduled opening),” he said. “We lost some of the knowledge of the project when the new staff was assigned.”
Union Pacific Railroad spokeswoman Raquel Espinoza said the last agreement sent to the city from Union Pacific was on Dec. 12.
“We are negotiating the final terms,” Wenger said. “Since this is intended to be a long-standing agreement, there are still a couple of things to work out.”
The railroad has ownership of the bridge and wants to make sure the city will take proper care of the area around it, as well as allow Union Pacific to do any work necessary.
Wenger said that according to the agreement, the city will take care of any graffiti in the area, as well as general maintenance. The city will also notify the railroad of any work that needs to be done to the bridge. He said a formal agreement is expected to be approved by the reopening of the canal in March, and there are no events scheduled that will require a special use permit.
Thank you for posting.
"The bridge has since been inspected and approved by the railroad."
Yet they've been running their train sets over the bridge for how long now? lol. I understand these agreements can be very deep but this is still just a bunch of cockamamie.
Moved several posts here from the river development thread.
Thank you Pete. Couldn't find the proper thread before.
I think UP owes an explanation as to why they have been hauling hazardous cargo over a waterway using an uninspected bridge that they say they didn't even know existed. If I was UP I believe I would shut-up about what I don't know, lest a federal regulator with Fish and Wildlife was listening.
Oh lord.He said the debacle with the opening was due to the retirement of Union Pacific employees who were working on the project, as the city had ongoing communications with the company.
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