News from the River (Cont.) Dallas Celebrates “Topping Off” the Margaret Hunt Hill were in attendance. They were honored for their dedication and support of public works in Dallas and particularly to the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge which bears their mother’s name. Several grandchildren, additional family members and another 100 people also watched a touching video of the bridge and arch construction, including the Dallas City Council and other elected officials. Senator Hutchison led the celebration and emphasized the importance to the Trinity River Corridor and the magnitude of the accomplishments past, present, and future. The Trinity River Corridor Project is one of the most ambitious public works projects ever undertaken in the United States and an iconic white arch now rises over the Trinity River because of the vision taking form from this body of work. The celebratory event was hosted by Haynes and Boone, LLP, and held in their offices overlooking the Trinity River Corridor and the gleaming white 400-foot Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge arch. Dr. Gail Thomas, president and CEO of the Trinity Trust Foundation led the introductions, “Now I want to introduce Mayor Tom Leppert who inherited the vision of the Trinity River Corridor Project from Mayors Ron Kirk and Laura Miller, and who has carried the vision forward with great passion.” Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert said, “This bridge, this arch, will be symbolic of all things in Dallas and North Texas, and it will show that we moved forward. The bridge will be the foreground and background of so many images we will see in Dallas.” Mayor Leppert then introduced U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. “We have two giants in Washington, D.C. -- Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson couldn’t be here today. In the Senate, we have this remarkable woman who is willing to stand by Dallas, be it funding or regulatory work. We wouldn’t be here without Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison.” Senator Hutchison said, “This bridge is something no other city has, and it will truly redefine the Dallas skyline. The arch and the bridge were the beginning steps that will spur the next steps of the Trinity project. I also want to say a special thank you to the Hill family who contributes in so many ways and in honor of their mother, Margaret Hunt Hill.”After the Arch – What’s next! On Saturday June 26, workers topped-off the impressive Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge arch. The red, 1000-ton crane used to lift the bright white arch pieces into place is now being dissembled and will be taken out of the floodway this month. With the arch in place, teams are set to push the work schedule forward! First, the remaining large steel box girders must be lifted into position. These weigh over 70,000 pounds each. Then welders will continue their work to join all the steel together. As the welders keep their primarily Shielded Metal Arc Welding* skills in action to complete the monumental task of crawling into box girders or the now upright cylinder pieces of the arch, other teams will bolt floor beams to the box girders (they look like the ribs of the bridge). There are a significant number of floor beams to be added to the installation, and this will be a huge task! Fortunately, once this step is complete and all the steel is off the ground, inclement weather will not impact the bridge construction schedule as easily as in past months. These steps and countless others must take place before the actual bridge roadway is completed or the bridge cables are strung. The bridge’s 58 cables range from 4 inches to 8 inches in diameter and will be attached to the center of the deck. Congratulations Dallas! There is an elegant white arch at the Trinity River for everyone to enjoy. |
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