Moving west across the country, Aileen and Dan visit the the CityArchRiver 2015 project in St. Louis.
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Low and Slow: City, Arch, River
Looking Westward Wanting More: Looking down from 630 feet we were left wanting more - more decking over I-44. The deeply seated superhighway of six lanes makes a moat separating the City from the Arch and the River. The green domed courthouse on the city side of I-44 is now physically connected to the Gateway Arch National Park for the first time by a single deck slab. Exciting was walking over the decking above the Interstate System to get to the Arch. Tourists are going to have to wait a bit longer to experience the new connection.
Photo by Dan McNichol
Connecting the City to the Arch and River: St. Louis is known for the Arch. The supersculpture defines the city. Remarkably the three have never been connected. People would come to St. Louis on the Interstate System peel off to a parking garage along the river near the Arch, take the a tour, and depart without entering downtown. We�re changing that by moving the entrance to the Arch into the city, explains Patrick Boyle, Program Construction Manager for Alpha Corporation on the CityArchRiver 2015 project.
Photo by Dan McNichol
Engineering Tom Reed: In front of the 1967 ASCE plaque proclaiming the Arch an �Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement.� Tom Reed is aligned with his work. His title of Inspector for PARIC is demanding. We were fortunate to have him join us on our tour to the top of the Arch. His first trip to the top was was with his grandchildren. �I remember seeing the final section placed on television� recalls the proud engineer. When he got the call to join the team he simply said, �Sign me up!�
Photo by Dan McNichol
Gateway Arch Confusion: Beckoning visitors the Arch has been marooned by the same Interstate System that brings tourists to St. Louis. Formerly I-70, now renumbered as I-44, the six lane superhighway severs St. Louis�s downtown with the National Park containing the Gateway Arch. Waiting four our hardhat tour to begin we witnessed three groups of visitors asking construction crews on the CityArchRiver project for instructions on how to get to one of the nation�s most visible landmarks.
Photo by Dan McNichol
Westward Ho with MoDOT: MoDOT�s District Engineer Gregory Horn rode us out of town Low & Slow style. Horn�s long career with MoDOT has been intertwined with crossings the Mississippi River. In 1984, his first big project for MoDOT was a highway bridge over the Mississippi. He recently lead the state�s efforts in building the new Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge. As Ryan McClure said of Horn, Jeff gets on it! He rode in the back of Mrs. Martin as we headed towards Kansas City, lecturing us on the inner workings of his I-70 projects, departing with us only after show casing where the Interstate System�s national groundbreaking took place in 1956.
Photo by Dan McNichol
Ranger Touring: Covering the construction site the four of us headed out in the Ranger. Ryan Riley lamented, I�ve never gotten to ride in the Ranger before. Boyle took us on a ripping tour of the entire site in short time.
Photo by Dan McNichol
Ryan�s Favorite Rendering: Ryan McClure, Communications Director for the CityArchRiver 2015 project is passionate about his work. Hustling himself out of the Ranger we drove around the site Ryan spread out a before-and-after spread saying, This is my favorite rendering. On the right was a parking garage - now gone. To the left the park that replaces the parking structure. In front of us was the ongoing work transforming the Arch grounds. Opening up were views of the Eads Bridge that have been obstructed for half a century.
Photo by Dan McNichol
Topping Off at 630 feet: We had to go to the top of the landmark.
Photo by Dan McNichol
CityArchRiver 2015 is a project name that�s as minimal as it is effective. The city of St. Louis is engaged in $380 million project this year that is connecting the City to its famed Gateway Arch and the Mississippi River. Aileen and Dan toured the project with Ryan McClure of CityArchRiver 2015 and Patrick Boyle of Alpha Corporation the day after Memorial Day.
Photo by Dan McNichol
River Walk & Rail Tunnel: The Gateway National Park has a river running along it and a train running through it. About 2 to 5 heavy freight and Amtrak trains pass beneath the park everyday explained Boyle from the driver�s seat of the Ranger. We�re doing repairs to the tunnel�s roof, mostly waterproofing, explains Alpha Corporation�s Program Construction Manager.
Photo by Dan McNichol
The Big Muddy: 630 feet above the Mississippi River looking down and Eastward is potential for year round usage. The Mississippi River, running high, challenges the National Park site during flood seasons. Beckoning visitors are riverboats, a helicopter for people on holiday wanting tours and future walking and bike paths. Right now people with disabilities are unable to get to the river. With new ramps we�re making the waterfront completely accessible to everyone, explains Patrick Boyle.
Photo by Dan McNichol
