January 18, 2006

Dumb ol' progress.

Bridge on South Chalkville in Trussville to be replaced

ANITA DEBRO
News staff writer

A bridge on South Chalkville Road in Trussville will be replaced in the coming months. The road will be closed to through traffic while the work is done.

Mayor Gene Melton last week asked residents to avoid downtown Trussville during peak traffic hours while the bridge work is under way. He urged motorists to find alternate routes around the construction. [...]

I think I remember posting about this several years ago when I first heard about it. The old bridge does need to be replaced, but it's sad to lose the old one, mainly because I know the new one will be big, and wide, and have those blasted Jersey barrier sidewalls. The road in this particular spot is a small, low speed two-lane, and it is overloaded with traffic, but one of the charms of the old concrete bridge is what's missing in all the newer ones--the ability to see down over the side. It has the old-style open concrete rail with square posts, and it's always been nice to look down onto Pinchgut Creek and see turtles and birds and stuff a few feet down below.

You can't do that with new bridges. You can pass over rivers and valleys and because of the side barriers never know what you've missed. The big high bridge over the tracks and the creek at Watterson Parkway, while not really an unattractive thing, would be so much nicer if it had a better view.

I realize the tall barriers are better for traffic safety--they shunt cars back onto the roadway instead of letting them plunge headlong off the side, and the high sides make it easier for folks who have bridge-fear to get across easier. But, still, it would be nice to still be able to look at the water.

Posted by Terry Oglesby at January 18, 2006 12:38 PM
Comments

Have you ever driven over Charleston's Cooper River Bridge ? The old one, not the new. A friend and I drove from Charleston to Myrtle Beach - the trip over that bridge was the most memorable part of the journey. You definately could see out the sides...and the deck...I'm not sure which was more terrifying - being a passenger on the way out of town, or the driver on the way back!

Posted by: Diane at January 18, 2006 01:39 PM

No, not been to that one, Diane, but we do have a shaky old bar grate decked bridge not too far from us over the end of Lake Purdy, which is the main Birmingham reservoir. Sits about a foot over the water it seems, and like the one you mention, you see a LOT. Also, it has tiny little guardrails.

Such fun! (not really)

Posted by: Terry Oglesby at January 18, 2006 01:53 PM

Being someone who knows lots of stuff—how effective are any of the barrier types at keeping cars on the road deck?

Posted by: jim at January 18, 2006 02:31 PM

Very good--I think most barrier impacts are of the sidelong grazing variety, and the slope and height and smooth surface all work well together to direct the car back to the roadway. More acute impacts are also kept on the road better than the older low barriers. Stuff can still go over, but it has to be something big, and with a lot of power behind it. The Wikipedia article looks to be pretty good.

Posted by: Terry Oglesby at January 18, 2006 02:41 PM

ThaThanks.. Have fun at the dentist I go back again tomorrow. Also please tell the mayor that I plan on avoiding Trussville during peak hour.

Posted by: jim at January 18, 2006 02:44 PM

Also, not driving into guardrails in the first place is a good way to stay on the road.

Just in case the rails don't quite do it for you.

Posted by: skinnydan at January 18, 2006 04:14 PM

True, but for those of us who enjoy a good nap while driving, they offer a bit of extra protection.

Posted by: Terry Oglesby at January 19, 2006 08:42 AM