Why Trails Benefit Our Community StL Post-Dispatch article

Why Trails Benefit our Community--5 Questions for Susan Trautman, Executive Director, St. Louis Great Rivers Greenway District.

Here's a great article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch discussing issues such as economic development benefits of trails and the value of a connected network. Several great examples are included.

MKT Bridge #12 update

Due to a grammatical error I have corrected yesterday's post. The contractor indicated that the post might have been read such that the contractor would not be able to work on their own temporary crossing. I think it might have been a ruse to enjoy the 80 degree temperatures during Spring Break?

However, with the grammar corrected today's drying conditions and dropping creek level allowed for the installation of a work pad at pier #2 on the West side of Hinkson Creek. By days end re-bar was being tied and forms set in preparation for a concrete pour tomorrow. Once again the contractor is racing the weather forecast, which is calling for rain Friday night. Oh the joys of Spring! Also, due to the unpredictable stability of the old rail trail bed there are several sections of trail that are receiving new base rock. If there was any base rock before it has disappeared into the depths of the trail, never to return. By projects end this section of trail will be regraded and resurfaced with the standard MKT limestone mix.

The Parks & Recreation department would also like to remind all trail users that the section of trail is closed between the parking lot at Scott Blvd & the trail access at Country Woods Estates. There are multiple signs indicating this closure and with heavy trucks, that cannot stop on a dime, running rock along the trail, potential trail users should find an alternate route.
An alternate map for trail user options can be found here. In addition to the route shown on the website you can follow the detour route from the MKT Trail to Scott Blvd as shown below.


Houf Construction is trying their best to get the bridges installed as soon as they can and we will update you as soon as we have a better time to completion from the contractor.

MKT Bridge 12 & 13 Replacement Project Update 3-30-2010

This afternoon construction of the temporary creek crossing began with 12 loads of shot rock from Boone Quarries, placed by Houf Construction. The road is necessary for construction vehicles to install the East Bank end bent and pier, as access from the East approach by vehicles of such tonnage has been prohibited.

In the next few days several 7 foot diameter steel pipes will be placed to allow the creek to free flow under the construction road. There will be plenty of room for waterborne wildlife to pass through while construction is underway! The construction bypass use strictly prohibited to anyone other than construction personnel and construction equipment.

At the end of the project, the temporary road will be removed and the excess materials placed as base for the trail approaches and placed around the piers and end bent walls to 'harden off' the embankments.

With the warming temperatures and windy conditions the site is drying off nicely. By week's end pier #2 is tentatively scheduled for completion.....weather permitting, of course!

MKT Bridge 12 & 13 Replacement Project Update 3-29-2010

"This Bridge seems to be getting taller" We have had a couple of bystanders question the elevation of bridge #12 as it is getting constructed.

Very observant, Yes, the bridge structure is being raised 2 feet above it's previous bottom-of-truss elevation.

The reason? The existing bridge was getting impacted by large debris from floods throughout the year. To protect the investment of the tax payer's dollar in this bridge, the decision was made to raise the bridge out of harms way. The approaches to the bridge will be modified and will fully be within the running slope limits for Accessible Routes on Trails. Plus, it gives the walkers and bikers a small 'hill climb' along the otherwise mostly flat route.

This week's weather outlook is fine and progress shall be marked.

MKT Bridge 12 & 13 Replacement Project Update 3-25-2010

The rain has come and gone (for the most part) and Houf Construction is forming the remainder of pier #1 this morning. Concrete will be poured tomorrow to finish this part of pier #1. We are looking forward to clearing weather and rising temperatures for next week to allow us to get this bridge completed in a timely manner.

MKT Bridge 12 & 13 Replacement Project Update 3-24-2010

Pier #1 is formed, braced and ready for concrete. Pilings were driven to 'practical refusal' which is around the same depth, making us think we have a very big piece of bedrock beneath us. Concrete was poured today prior to the forecasted rain storms tonight. We will see if the creek rises overnight and puts Thursday out.

MKT Bridge 12 & 13 Replacement Project Update 3-22-2010

This past weekend's early Spring snow storm has put the job site, partially, underwater. Progress is halted for the day, until the water recedes enough to set forms for the first of three concrete piers. We are keeping a very close eye on the weather forecast to see if we can avoid the predicted rain on Thursday.....fingers crossed!

MKT Bridge #12 Update

On a balmy 67 degree Friday afternoon Houf Construction is wrapping the freshly poured concrete end bent wall for MKT Trail bridge #12. Why you ask? Because.....




....of the first day of Spring. Yes, Saturday March 20th has brought snow showers and temperatures in the lower 30's and upper 20's. As good stewards of the Tax Payer dollar we are making sure this fresh concrete is protected from the cold temperatures and the elements by wrapping the wall in insulating blankets. With the progress made thus far we are trying to keep up the momentum and finish on schedule.

MKT Bridge #13

MKT Bridge #13 has come along very well, even with the extreme cold, snow and wet winter we have had. Nevertheless, the end bents, bridge deck beams and guardrails have all been poured, set and bolted together. The approaches for the bridge are the next stage to this project and will not be installed until bridge #12 in substantially complete. At that point Houf Construction will remove the temporary access road across the un-named tributary at bridge #13 and will adaptively re-use that rock to harden off the embankments and fill in the voids of the approaches. Some of the 'adaptive re-use' of the temporary road will be used to improve the quality of the base for the trail as it meanders from the old railroad bed and heads west toward the Scott tunnel.

Like a Phoenix - MKT bridge 12 replacement update 3-18-2010

#12 replacement has begun. This week the west bank end bent wall and first of two concrete piers have had their steel pilings driven to practical refusal, i.e. bedrock. The good weather has allowed access to the site from Tuesday till today and continuing into tomorrow. Houf Construction is working as fast as possible to beat this weekend's falling temperatures and snow.

MKT Bridge 12 & 13 Replacement Project Update 3-17-2010

Wet conditions have hampered progress on Bridge #12, but today, equipment was running. Even with a muddy slippery site Houf Construction is forging ahead, forming the abutment for the west bank end bent wall and preparing to drive the steel pilings. Allstate Consultants performed a verification of markings, this morning, due to a design change from sheet steel piling bents to longer lasting concrete end bents adjusted field measurements. Looking forward to the 60 degree weather to dry out working conditions.

MKT Bridge 12 & 13 Replacement Project Update

Bridge #12 has officially been removed. Connection between the Forum Nature Area, Twin Lakes & MKT Scott Blvd to the Katy Trail will be unusable until the new bridge is installed. Please avoid work areas as Contractor will not expect pedestrian's or bikers in the work area and may not see you.