The Bridge
Commentary: The Bridge
Let's just say the numbers do NOT add up, and I am NOT talking about the financial numbers.
The city council held a special work session meeting on June 6, 2023. One item they discussed was the Little Road expansion project. That meeting can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSnzNTRGIhg . That particular discussion started at 1:01:20.
At 1:17:49 Mr. Nevarez asks about the bridge. This is a Freese and Nichols engineer responding. His responses include:
1:17:54 Freese and Nichols, “So, we are trying to hold [the grade] to five percent because this project is going to include shared-use paths on the sidewalks. It's definitely going to be tight considering the proximity of … Kennedale Parkway and it is adjacent to the railroad tracks.”
1:18:09 Freese and Nichols, “As you can imagine Union Pacific has their standards of the clear course to make over the railroad tracks and so coming from Kennedale Parkway, maybe 300 to 400 linear feet [away], getting up say 30 feet, it's going to be up there [speaking of the grade].
1:18:28 Freese and Nichols, “So the sidewalks, we're currently proposing 10-foot wide, shared-use hike and bike … the maximum launch you want is five percent.
The cost work sheet as part of the packet for this meeting can be found at: https://kennedaletx.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3199/files/attachment/10862 . It clearly states a 200-foot bridge (X 90 feet wide, 1800 sq. ft.).
[Commentary: This is where the numbers DO NOT MATCH!!! A 5% grade means it increases 5 feet vertically for every 100 feet horizontally. If you need to go up 30 feet and maintain only a 5% grade, you need 600 feet. So, since you must both ascend and descend, YOU ARE TALKING A BRIDGE OF 1200 FEET!!! Cost estimates at this point have only been for a 200- foot bridge. To ascend and descend 30 feet with a 200-foot bridge means the grade would need to be at 30% grade!!! When/If this thing ever gets designed properly, I have to believe you will see some major, major sticker shock.]