This just in: They won't be taking down the Joe Ratcliff Pedestrian Walkway over LBJ Freeway this weekend after all. Not sure when it'll happen -- the release we just received says only "at a later date." So, not a full pardon, only a temporary reprieve from what was expected to be a godawful weekend of traffic on LBJ (well, more godawful than usual). To the release!
Options being evaluated this week by the project engineers prompted Trinity Infrastructure to seek alternate methods for the demolition to improve safety.But: The other bridge demolitions scheduled this month and next are still on track.
"Safety is our number one concern on this project," said Lara Kohl, public relations manager with Trinity Infrastructure. "Other methods for the demolition are being analyzed to improve the demolition process under the safest possible conditions for the traveling public and the crews."
"The Joe Ratcliff bridge is a unique structure, much different than a typical vehicle bridge," said Andy Rittler, public affairs director for LJB Infrastructure group, the developer of the project. "This bridge requires specialized demolition sequencing, so we want to be extra cautious to make sure we can take it down under the safest conditions."
Kohl said they still anticipate the bridge to be completed by January 2012.
Lanes along I-635 (LBJ) will operate as normal this weekend.
