Clearfork Mainstreet Bridge

The Clearfork Main Street Bridge is really two bridges in one. First it is a vehicle bridge that spans 1800 feet and connects busy Hulen Street to less busy Bryant Irvin Road. Secondly, hanging below the concrete vehicle bridge is a hot-dip galvanized (HDG) steel pedestrian bridge addressing the concerns of a wide range of stakeholders, including the Corp of Engineers, river advocacy groups, public artist, property owners and pedestrian groups.

The suspended pedestrian bridge below provides a much needed high water crossing of the Trinity River, beautiful views with bench seating, and a park-like setting on each end where tired runners, bikers and walkers can rest before continuing their journey on the Trinity Trail. The Trinity River is known for flooding, so access for maintenance is limited. The final design called for HDG to provide a cost effective, low maintenance structure that satisfied the technical flood-way requirements of the Corps and the pedestrian traffic needs of the public in a visually pleasing solution.

Some of the longest bridge girders required progressive dipping, meaning multi-plant operations for kettle length was necessary. The galvanizer worked closely with the fabricator providing logistics so the steel would arrive at the job site on a timely basis. The bridge connects a previously undeveloped area that will populate quickly, increasing vehicle traffic to approximately 20,000 cars per day and pedestrian use that will triple each year, making the aesthetically appealing bridge visible to the community.

The $13 million bridge sets the bar for use of HDG to provide infrastructure projects with adequate, cost effective methods of corrosion protection that provide sustainability for project development.