Those were the original plans. Who knows what we will get now besides a toll free bridge north of downtown.
The website is updated, but it includes a mix of the old and new plans. You have to check what you're reading, to make sure you you have the most recent update on the bridge. With the politicians constantly making changes, it's difficult to tell what is and isnt still on board.
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But, I take it the latest design we have to go off of is the "M" design with the two major piers resembling 2 big white Ms. That is the last design that was released, right? Anyone got something different? As much of a step back as the M design was from the original design with the 2 central curved piers, I still would take the M design bridge in a heartbeat over something that looked like the PSB.
Yeah, if we're gonna build a bridge, it might as well look good, right? We don't need another concrete slab that spans the river, a la PSB.
That pic Xing posted is confusing. What we really need to do is make the highway system on the East side less confusing.
That pic Xing posted is confusing. What we really need to do is make the highway system on the East side less confusing.
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If the final design is the M - design, then as far as I'm concerned we are getting a huge win. Just PLEASE GOD let there be lights. Bright, colorful lights. At the top, along the cables, whatever, just light the damn thing up. I still have no idea why the PSB and Eads arent much brighter than they are now. How bout some blue neon lights along the PSB. Anything to give the river some character.
jesus, if they can light the bridge at Alton you think they could at St. Louis...
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Finally. It is not what the doctor ordered, but it is a start and will certainly be an improvement.
So, according to the report it is a cable stay bridge, so we are probably getting the "M" design.
What is this 4-6 years to complete! If they could have this done in 6 years that would be fantastic, 4 years would be a miracle. With all the rerouting of interstate approaches and new intersections, I figured this was a 10 year project.
I hope this report is true. Hopefully KMOX has all their ducks in a row on this one because it looks like MoDot and IDot are ready to deny, deny, deny.
So, according to the report it is a cable stay bridge, so we are probably getting the "M" design.
What is this 4-6 years to complete! If they could have this done in 6 years that would be fantastic, 4 years would be a miracle. With all the rerouting of interstate approaches and new intersections, I figured this was a 10 year project.
I hope this report is true. Hopefully KMOX has all their ducks in a row on this one because it looks like MoDot and IDot are ready to deny, deny, deny.
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It's a tentative agreement so I wouldn't have too much hope.
Can we merge this with the origianal thread.
http://www.urbanstl.com/viewtopic.php?t=263&start=735
Can we merge this with the origianal thread.
http://www.urbanstl.com/viewtopic.php?t=263&start=735
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Officials optimistic, but say no bridge deal in place yet
BY MIKE FITZGERALD
News-Democrat
Illinois and Missouri highway officials said there is growing optimism that a deal still will be struck to build a new multi-million-dollar bridge over the Mississippi River.
However, work remains on plans to build the long-stalled crossing. They said they could not verify reports circulated Monday by some news media that the two states have reached a tentative agreement to build a $600 million toll-free bridge north of downtown St. Louis.
The value of any bi-state agreement would depend on the Illinois General Assembly's approval of a proposed $24 billion capital improvements plan to be funded by a massive -- and controversial -- expansion of the state's gambling industry. The program has already passed in the Senate, but is awaiting a vote in the House.
If the legislature approves the capital works plan, "that will be a very positive development for the Mississippi River bridge project because it will provide funding," said Mike Claffey, a spokesman for the Illinois Department of Transportation.
So far the only money set aside for the bridge project -- whose latest price tag is $1 billion, including required highway realignments -- is coming from the federal government, in the form of a $164 million allocation to Illinois, and a $75 million earmark to Missouri.
A St. Louis radio station, citing anonymous sources, reported the two states have agreed to build a four-lane bridge that would cross the river in the same location where a larger, eight-lane bridge was first proposed -- north of the Martin Luther King Bridge.
.....................................
Kevin Killeen, the KMOX reporter who wrote the bridge story, stated in an e-mail message to the News-Democrat that a draft agreement exists between the two states, and that the station stands by the report.
.....................................
East-West Gateway, which represents cities and counties in Missouri and Illinois, earlier this year had proposed kicking in $20 million to the bridge project.
"Anything that Missouri commits to we'd have to support because they're committing money that we're allocating," Sterman said. "So as far as I know there can't be any deal without going through our board of directors."
Contact reporter Mike Fitzgerald at mfitzgerald@bnd.com or 239-2533.
trent wrote: What we really need to do is make the highway system on the East side less confusing.
I totally agree! Major simplification is needed. Motorist headed westbound jump lanes continually. No fault to them, the area is rather poorly marked. The backup created at the 55 southbound exit only lane on the PSB is quite dangerous as cars come around the curve and meet stopped traffic. I think some metro-Illinois resident are confused about the Eads and MLK bridge and opt to use PSB because it's easier to navigate. I've been involved in two accident in this area, both times by an out of town motorist abruptly changing lanes to make their intended exit.
Lighting would be very nice too. Something bold to create life and give the area a presence. Even the boring concrete bridges can benefit greatly from creative uses of light.
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I was just looking at the whole project again and their website, and I am still confused about this lane thing. I just read on the website (which I assume is out of date) that in the new (M) design, the plan was to build 4 traffic lanes with 2 emergency lanes on each side of each direction of traffic, for a total of 8 lanes.
I assume that was the so called "8 lane plan." But, if the plan was only to build 4 traffic lanes all along and all we are losing are the emergency lanes (with the potential for expansion), it doesn't seem as bad. We really needed more than 4 lanes of traffic, but it looks like that is all Missouri is willing to agree upon, even though Illinois is funding it. It is certainly an attempt to limit the flow of traffic into Saint Louis.
I don't know. I wish they would just announce this thing and get it started.
I assume that was the so called "8 lane plan." But, if the plan was only to build 4 traffic lanes all along and all we are losing are the emergency lanes (with the potential for expansion), it doesn't seem as bad. We really needed more than 4 lanes of traffic, but it looks like that is all Missouri is willing to agree upon, even though Illinois is funding it. It is certainly an attempt to limit the flow of traffic into Saint Louis.
I don't know. I wish they would just announce this thing and get it started.
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Billkn wrote:trent wrote: What we really need to do is make the highway system on the East side less confusing.
I totally agree! Major simplification is needed. Motorist headed westbound jump lanes continually. No fault to them, the area is rather poorly marked. The backup created at the 55 southbound exit only lane on the PSB is quite dangerous as cars come around the curve and meet stopped traffic. I think some metro-Illinois resident are confused about the Eads and MLK bridge and opt to use PSB because it's easier to navigate. I've been involved in two accident in this area, both times by an out of town motorist abruptly changing lanes to make their intended exit.
Every day on the way to work I am slowed to about 10-15 miles per hour for (close to) 1 mile so the last second 55/44 travelers can make their merge on to the ramp. I am always sure to stay in the left hand lane until I pass that area. So basically 64 turns in to a 1 lane highway for a mile or so.
Optimism rising on bridge plan, but bi-state leaders can't confirm deal
Proposed Mississippi River bridgeBut bi-state leaders can't confirm report of deal reached
BY MIKE FITZGERALD
News-Democrat
Illinois and Missouri highway officials said there is growing optimism that a deal still will be struck to build a new multimillion-dollar bridge over the Mississippi River.
However, work remains on plans to build the long-stalled crossing. They said they could not verify reports circulated Monday by some news media that the two states have reached a tentative agreement to build a $600 million toll-free bridge north of downtown St. Louis.
The value of any bi-state agreement would depend on approval by the Illinois General Assembly of a proposed $24 billion capital improvements plan to be funded by a massive -- and controversial -- expansion of the state's gambling industry. The program has already passed in the Senate, but is awaiting a vote in the House.
If the legislature approves the capital works plan, "that will be a very positive development for the Mississippi River bridge project because it will provide funding," said Mike Claffey, a spokesman for the Illinois Department of Transportation.
So far the only money set aside for the bridge project -- whose latest price tag is $1 billion, including required highway realignments -- is coming from the federal government, in the form of a $164 million allocation to Illinois, and a $75 million earmark to Missouri.
cont...
http://www.bnd.com/homepage/story/154029.html
Proposed Mississippi River bridgeBut bi-state leaders can't confirm report of deal reached
BY MIKE FITZGERALD
News-Democrat
Illinois and Missouri highway officials said there is growing optimism that a deal still will be struck to build a new multimillion-dollar bridge over the Mississippi River.
However, work remains on plans to build the long-stalled crossing. They said they could not verify reports circulated Monday by some news media that the two states have reached a tentative agreement to build a $600 million toll-free bridge north of downtown St. Louis.
The value of any bi-state agreement would depend on approval by the Illinois General Assembly of a proposed $24 billion capital improvements plan to be funded by a massive -- and controversial -- expansion of the state's gambling industry. The program has already passed in the Senate, but is awaiting a vote in the House.
If the legislature approves the capital works plan, "that will be a very positive development for the Mississippi River bridge project because it will provide funding," said Mike Claffey, a spokesman for the Illinois Department of Transportation.
So far the only money set aside for the bridge project -- whose latest price tag is $1 billion, including required highway realignments -- is coming from the federal government, in the form of a $164 million allocation to Illinois, and a $75 million earmark to Missouri.
cont...
http://www.bnd.com/homepage/story/154029.html
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Well Pete Rahn was spotted in the Drury Hotel downtown today and rumor has it there was a meeting between both states today.
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^ This is the best thing about this forum - we have eyes everywhere!
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brickandmortar wrote:Well Pete Rahn was spotted in the Drury Hotel downtown today and rumor has it there was a meeting between both states today.
Isn't East-West...Council housed in this same complex? (THe Drury/KMOX building comlex?)
That would make sense that he was 1)there and 2)working on the bridge agreement.
So... The Page Extension is a TEN lane bridge... and the Mississippi Bridge will be a FOUR lane bridge...? 
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Ah I don't keep up with this thread as much as I'd like to. Question: I thought I saw a plan that pushed Missouri bound traffic onto Tucker. Now I see it will spill out in front of the old Schnucks site. Was it ever proposed to carry traffic to Tucker?
Ah I see it was listed under the prior plan.
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I wonder if IDOT could pull a bait-and-switch on MODOT. Agree to a four-lane bridge for now in the planned, more northern location, but then someday still convert the new four-lane bridge to WB I-70. Combined with an MLK conversion to a three-lane EB I-70, you'd still get seven lanes to carry Interstate traffic over the Mississippi. Of course, EB traffic would then have to go back to merging southwest of the I-55/64/70 tri-level interchange in East St. Louis.
In other words, still do the MLK-coupler plan, but fulfill such hybrid plan years after this currently planned, deficient four-lane MRB opens, and we suddenly realize all over again that neither state has the money to build a parallel four-lane span next to the new bridge. Or do the states actually have the foresight to build piers that can someday support a wider bridge deck?
In other words, still do the MLK-coupler plan, but fulfill such hybrid plan years after this currently planned, deficient four-lane MRB opens, and we suddenly realize all over again that neither state has the money to build a parallel four-lane span next to the new bridge. Or do the states actually have the foresight to build piers that can someday support a wider bridge deck?
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Well the way this is going what will happen first? Gay Marriage in Missouri or The New Mississippi River Bridge??
(btw its a joke)
(btw its a joke)
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Afftonguy78 wrote:Well the way this is going what will happen first? Gay Marriage in Missouri or The New Mississippi River Bridge??
Putting those two issues together in your post just caused me to create a really bizarre picture in my head involving two states linked, each supplying half of the linkage. Thanks a lot - not.