Smiley Lane Park

The first section of the Cul-de-Sac has been poured by Stockman Construction. Work will progress through Friday as weather allows. Approximate completion in two weeks, weather dependent.

MKT Bridge #12 -Waiting for next round of storms

Due to site conditions and predicted weather forecast, work will not be able to be performed on bridge #12 for the remainder of this week. The temporary crossing at Bridge #13 is open, but please use extreme caution on this section as flooding has removed some of the surface rock.

Bridge #12's crossing is severely damaged and use of it is not recommended. We will be keeping a close eye on the creek level over the next several days and will be back on site as soon as is reasonably possible.

Philips Park Lake parking lot and ramp are open.

The work on the lot and ramp is done. The last step of striping the lot was completed yesterday. Both the ramp and the lot are available for public use.

Please note that only trolling motors are allowed on Philips Lake and that the park and facilities hours are 6 A.M. to 11 P.M.

There are several amenities still being worked on most notably a restroom. Please be aware of construction crews, equipment and potential driving blockages until the work is completed.

MKT Bridge #12 -Creek still too high, still.

The water is receding at MKT bridge #12, but the temporary road is still covered and appears to be significantly damaged. With the water level as high as it is and site conditions still on the extremely saturated side, site work has been halted for the week. We are keeping an eye on the weather forecast as Mother Nature is revving up for round two, potentially.

Asphalt Work at Cosmo and LA Nickell

As part of the Annual Roads and Parking projects funded by the 2005 Sales Tax work on overlays in Cosmo and LA Nickell will began 4/28 through 4/29.

The main north/south road in Cosmo will be cleaned and then have an overlay. Traffic will be one lane during the day on both 4/28 and 4/29. The road will be open to traffic in the evening.

The lot nearest the cart shed at LA Nickell will be cleaned and then have an overlay. It will be closed until the morning of 4/30. Striping will be done at a later time.

Major Construction on MKT Btwn Forum and Stadium

P&R Staff along with a contract equipment operator (Richardson Construction) will be installing three large culverts in order to help reduce washouts along the trail. The trail will remain open, but it may require users to stop and slowly proceed around the trenches. Please be careful as often the equipment operators will not be able to hear you.

Work will be done between MKT Stadium and Forum Blvd.

MKT Bridge #12 -Creek still too high

The flood waters are approximately 2-3 feet above the temporary creek crossing, as of 8:15 this morning. Rock trucks and concrete trucks cannot get to the East side of the creek due to lack of access by road to the trail. Depending on field observations this afternoon, of flood elevation, it will be determined if Houf will be on site tomorrow.

Trail Condition Updates, Tuesday morning, April 27

Staff was able to check all trails on Monday and began work on cleaning out the underpasses. There will be lots of equipment on the MKT and Bear Creek Trails this morning.

Here's an update for each trail:

MKT Trail: Rough from Forum Blvd east to bridge #10. Underpasses fairly clean, but water is still flowing through Stadium tunnel.

Forum Nature Area Trail is muddy and rutted.

Bear Creek Trail: Trail rough from Creasey Springs to Cosmo Park with a lot of silt deposits and exposed 3" base rock. Section is also very rough from east end of boardwalk to Garth Nature Area.

West of Garth to nearly Albert-Oakland has trail surface rock washed out in places

Hinkson Creek Trail: Rough west of Rock Quarry Road to bridge. A tree damaged a rail on the bridge so it is marked with caution tape.

MKT Bridge #12 -Rained out from weekend's storm

The job site at bridge #12 is completely unworkable today and until the Hinkson Creek has gone down. In this photo the water is approximately 10 feet above the temporary Creek crossing. The silver lining to this storm is that the rain should be good for the Morel mushrooms!

Trail Condition Updates, Monday April 26

Park staff are heading to all of the trail underpasses/tunnels firt thing this morning to begin clearing debris. Goal is to get the underpasses passable first and then begin working on the MKT Trail.

One of our favorite events, the Bike, Walk, and Wheel Week kicks off this Friday so our goal is get as many trails passable and then come back and do some final prep.

Trail Conditions: Sunday, April 25

Most of you know by now, that this amount of rain has caused flooding in the normal locations:

• MKT Trail between MLK and Forum
• MKT Trail at Scott Blvd access
• Bear Creek Trail at Creasy Springs Road access

Park staff will begin evaluation and repairs on Monday morning. Thanks for your patience!

MKT Bridge #12 -Rained out - MKT Bridge #13 approachable

The job site got quite wet over night and the conditions this morning were quite slick. Depending on the rain this weekend Houf Construction will be at the site Monday morning.
Bridge 13 approaches have been filled in, but are a little bit soft still, so please use caution when approaching the bridge.

MKT Bridge #12 - We beat the rain

Concrete was poured this morning for the second of three pours to complete pier # 3. All equipment will be moved to the East bank of the Hinkson so that if the forecast weather moves in Houf Construction will still be able to make progress on the final structural concrete work for this bridge. Within the next two weeks the prefabricated truss section will be set. This will be an interesting sight.
Thanks for the interest, understanding and support of the trail users. We appreciate all the feedback that we have received on site.

MKT Bridge Replacement project 4-21-2010

It's a misty April morning on the Hinkson Creek and Houf Construction is hard at work on Pier #3. The Pier is 1/3 complete today and work continues to raise forms in preparation for the second of three concrete pours for this pier's completion. The pre-assembled main span of the bridge will be set in the next couple of weeks in addition to the last 4 concrete deck beams on the East side of the Creek.

Philips Lake Fishing Area 4-15-10

Stockman Construction estimates they will finish the lot sometime next week (4/19). The lot should be open to the public shortly after.

MKT Bridge Replacement project 4-13-2010 A bridge to somewhere

A view from the east end of the installed bridge deck. Title " A bridge to somewhere"

Today the bridge beams are being bolted to the piers, end bent and the joints grouted.

Next on Houf Construction's agenda build the East Pier, Pier #3. The project is running smoothly and the break in the rain has been a boon for this project.

Paquin Park

The wooden raised garden beds are being replaced. That work should be complete within a couple weeks. The beds will then be available for planting. Fencing around the garden area and re-grading of the excess soil are the next two steps.

MKT Bridge Replacement project 4-12-2010

No the usual trail user.



This morning the west side of Hinkson Creek bridge had the concrete beams installed. The photo above shows the first two beams (of eight) installed. This is the first stage to finishing the west side of the bridge. While bolt holes are being grouted and finish work performed on the west, the creek crossing will be installed using 7' diameter steel pipes. This week, if we dodge the storms will be excellent for progress.

MKT Bridge Replacement project 4-8-2010

The rock blanket was placed today on the west bank around the end bent, to protect from really big floods. Also the forms were stripped from cap #2 in preparation to set the first two spans of beams. The next big step is to cross the creek to start excavation for the east side structures. Typically the piers, take the most amount of time due to their proximity to the ever fluctuating creek elevation. Ah the joys of Spring showers!

With the weather forecast looking promising for early next week we are anticipating no slow down in progress.

MKT Bridge 12 & 13 Replacement Project Update 4-7-2010

The rain has come and gone, for the meantime. Forming and pouring will continue this afternoon and the west bank will be brought back to finished grade, around the piers. There have been questions about the terms used and at what locations work is taking place. Please see the rudimentary sketch, below, of what bridge #12 will look like.
With any luck next week the 'bridge section' will start to look more bridge-like, weather dependent. We only lost Monday, as a work day, so far this week so we hope we can progress in the muddy conditions.

Philips Lake Fishing Area

The contractor was able to pour a bit more concrete today (4/6). The work on the lot portion is approximately 30% done.