s3mh Posted August 19, 2020 Share Posted August 19, 2020 The hike and bike bridge over White Oak Bayou near Studemont is on fire. The fire is on the north side of the bayou. Homeless people have been camping out under the bridge on that side. It looks like that may be where the fire started. I really hope they do not have to close the bridge down. The hike and bike trail is one of the few things we have left to do during the pandemic. 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cspwal Posted August 19, 2020 Share Posted August 19, 2020 Isn't that bridge concrete? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbigtex56 Posted August 19, 2020 Share Posted August 19, 2020 3 minutes ago, cspwal said: Isn't that bridge concrete? I'm gonna guess no. KTRK just had a live report - fire appears to be out. No word on whether damage to the bridge would make it impassible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cspwal Posted August 19, 2020 Share Posted August 19, 2020 Photo from the KHOU article https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/pedestrian-bridge-catches-fire-along-white-oak-bayou-near-i-10/285-c1fac60b-bbc6-4d4b-b52a-1d3114b54da7 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
august948 Posted August 19, 2020 Share Posted August 19, 2020 At least one trestle is a complete loss just based on this picture. Plus heat damage to the concrete and steel above it. It'll be closed for a while. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRed Posted August 19, 2020 Share Posted August 19, 2020 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hindesky Posted August 19, 2020 Share Posted August 19, 2020 I was looking at the construction camera at The Allen when I saw the black smoke almost due north. Started looking for incidents reports and saw one for the area near Clarks Hardwood store. Thought it might have been that but then watched the news. This is going to be a major inconvenience for all the cyclist, joggers and anyone who uses that trail. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cspwal Posted August 19, 2020 Share Posted August 19, 2020 Looks like on Google Maps detouring to Heights BLVD (on-street bike lane) is a 3/4 mile detour 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3mh Posted August 19, 2020 Author Share Posted August 19, 2020 Seems like they were able to put it out quickly once they were able to get hoses down there. The wood is over 100 years old. Hopefully, some fire damage won't affect the structural integrity. They already replaced one of the trestles in the middle of the bridge and did not have to close it down during the work. Fingers crossed. https://theleadernews.com/fire-department-battles-blaze-under-heights-bridge/ https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Fire-erupts-under-White-Oak-Bayou-bridge-15495693.php#photo-19830950 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EaDo Lou Posted August 19, 2020 Share Posted August 19, 2020 4 hours ago, cspwal said: Looks like on Google Maps detouring to Heights BLVD (on-street bike lane) is a 3/4 mile detour If your destination is downtown, there is a quicker detour to the trail along White Oak Bayou via Stude Park. This does require a short amount of on-street riding, but it is not too bad. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EaDo Lou Posted August 19, 2020 Share Posted August 19, 2020 (edited) 2 hours ago, s3mh said: Seems like they were able to put it out quickly once they were able to get hoses down there. The wood is over 100 years old. Hopefully, some fire damage won't affect the structural integrity. They already replaced one of the trestles in the middle of the bridge and did not have to close it down during the work. Fingers crossed. https://theleadernews.com/fire-department-battles-blaze-under-heights-bridge/ https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Fire-erupts-under-White-Oak-Bayou-bridge-15495693.php#photo-19830950 I rode past it on my bike and as of 4PM, it was still smoldering and they were still putting water on it. But I agree, the damage is surprisingly minor, at least superficially. Hopefully the follow-up inspection will reveal no significant loss of integrity of the wood. I wonder if there was some kind of fireproofing that had been applied to the wood long ago? Edited August 19, 2020 by EaDo Lou 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cspwal Posted August 20, 2020 Share Posted August 20, 2020 They probably have a lot of spare capacity, since it was originally built for trains and now the heaviest thing that goes over it is an electric cargo bike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EaDo Lou Posted August 20, 2020 Share Posted August 20, 2020 (edited) 42 minutes ago, cspwal said: They probably have a lot of spare capacity, since it was originally built for trains and now the heaviest thing that goes over it is an electric cargo bike Good point. From a load perspective, the loss of a trestle or two is no big deal since the original design loads were significantly higher. However, there is still a requirement that the deflections/vertical displacement in the concrete be kept below a certain maximum value in order to prevent cracks from developing and possibly allowing water to enter the cracks and corrode the internal rebar. Thus, the loss of support could be a problem in that regards. But it appears the supports are still in pretty good shape even after the fire, and if so, I would imagine they could open up the bridge fairly quickly. Edited August 20, 2020 by EaDo Lou 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triton Posted August 20, 2020 Share Posted August 20, 2020 Not to be a debby downer but I will not be surprised if this is closed for months. Perhaps they'll reopen this right about the same time they open the park on the hill. It does suck but at least there are alternatives, and many good suggestions in here at that. But whatever you do, do not cross on the Studemont bridge. Too incredibly narrow on the "sidewalk" and cars drive too fast to even consider biking on the road, imo. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cspwal Posted August 20, 2020 Share Posted August 20, 2020 Maybe the city could set up a temporary protected bike lane on the studemont bridge? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TacoDog Posted August 20, 2020 Share Posted August 20, 2020 (edited) How high (or how fast would the flow rate have to be) would the bayou have to be to cause the bridge to collapse? We could see a tropical storm/hurricane next Monday/Tuesday. I took these photos during Imelda last September. Edited August 20, 2020 by TacoDog 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EaDo Lou Posted August 20, 2020 Share Posted August 20, 2020 1 hour ago, TacoDog said: How high (or how fast would the flow rate have to be) would the bayou have to be to cause the bridge to collapse? We could see a tropical storm/hurricane next Monday/Tuesday. There are equations for calculating the forces imposed by moving water (see https://www.bgstructuralengineering.com/BGASCE7/BGASCE7006/BGASCE70604.htm#:~:text=Hydrodynamic loads are those load,the effects of breaking waves.). Large debris in the water, such as trees, vehicles, etc would be even worse. If the fire reduced the strength of the trestles well below their capacity to withstand these forces, I would say it might be possible to at least partially collapse the bridge. But I would say that is an unlikely scenario. But you never know. It will be interesting to see what happens if we do get a flood next week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hindesky Posted August 21, 2020 Share Posted August 21, 2020 Here is another option given by the Bayou Greenways. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollusk Posted August 21, 2020 Share Posted August 21, 2020 On 8/19/2020 at 6:37 PM, EaDo Lou said: If your destination is downtown, there is a quicker detour to the trail along White Oak Bayou via Stude Park. This does require a short amount of on-street riding, but it is not too bad. Rather than crossing myself, kissing St. Chris, taking a deep breath, and diving into the Studewood Death Race, my recommendation is to continue down White Oak and pick up the trail to downtown either from Michaux or directly off of White Oak a couple more blocks further on down. 3 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_cuevas713 Posted August 21, 2020 Share Posted August 21, 2020 Agree. I take that route to Downtown. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cspwal Posted August 21, 2020 Share Posted August 21, 2020 13 hours ago, hindesky said: Here is another option given by the Bayou Greenways. This is probably the route I would take - I have a high preference for bike lanes, LC ones 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
august948 Posted August 21, 2020 Share Posted August 21, 2020 Weren't they planning a connector from the trail north of the bridge to Stude Park? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twisterhunt Posted August 21, 2020 Share Posted August 21, 2020 1 hour ago, august948 said: Weren't they planning a connector from the trail north of the bridge to Stude Park? Yes, though it's been in "planning" for years it seems 🙄 Part of the issue was getting Army Corps of Engineers approval on the minor bridge crossing that would be required. As of early this year, I heard rumors that progress was being made on moving forward with a connection but I imagine that's changed now... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triton Posted August 21, 2020 Share Posted August 21, 2020 19 minutes ago, twisterhunt said: Yes, though it's been in "planning" for years it seems 🙄 Part of the issue was getting Army Corps of Engineers approval on the minor bridge crossing that would be required. As of early this year, I heard rumors that progress was being made on moving forward with a connection but I imagine that's changed now... I remember hearing of that connection when I first moved in this area and it was always around the corner............ back in 2012. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
august948 Posted August 21, 2020 Share Posted August 21, 2020 1 hour ago, twisterhunt said: Yes, though it's been in "planning" for years it seems 🙄 Part of the issue was getting Army Corps of Engineers approval on the minor bridge crossing that would be required. As of early this year, I heard rumors that progress was being made on moving forward with a connection but I imagine that's changed now... Maybe this will bring some focus to the problem and help move it along. It'd be helpful to have that connection right now. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jermh Posted August 21, 2020 Share Posted August 21, 2020 (edited) That connection would be great because it gives you the option of avoiding that target parking lot and crossing houston avenue and all the intersections on spring street. That's whole stretch can be slow and sketchy and crossing at stude would bypass all of it. Edited August 21, 2020 by jermh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flatline Posted September 7, 2020 Share Posted September 7, 2020 There appears to be at least one new steel truss installed on the bridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRed Posted September 7, 2020 Share Posted September 7, 2020 4 minutes ago, flatline said: There appears to be at least one new steel truss installed on the bridge. So I believe that was installed a few years ago - and now they are setting up scaffolding and work space to inspect fire damage to see what else needs to be done. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3mh Posted September 8, 2020 Author Share Posted September 8, 2020 On 9/7/2020 at 8:30 AM, BigRed said: So I believe that was installed a few years ago - and now they are setting up scaffolding and work space to inspect fire damage to see what else needs to be done. The steel truss in the middle of the bridge was just completed a few months ago. They were able to keep the bridge open while they worked on it. Hopefully once they figure out what needs to be done to repair the fire damage they will be able to keep the bridge open while they work on it. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrainTrak Posted October 22, 2020 Share Posted October 22, 2020 I called the parks board and asked for an update on when this bridge will be opening back up. I was shocked to learn that it has sustained major structural damage and will need to be replaced. On top of that, there's no funding for a new bridge, so it's not opening back up for a long, long time. If you're wondering what you can do about this, contact your councilperson and ask for discretionary funds to be diverted to this project. 1 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbigtex56 Posted October 22, 2020 Share Posted October 22, 2020 (edited) That area has always been the no-man's-land (or Berlin Wall, if you prefer) of Houston. The only accommodations for crossing the bayou are either distant or strictly reserved for auto traffic (as in the case of the Studemont bridge -see photo). Biking a mile or two out of your way may not be a major inconvenience but for pedestrians, it's a killer. All I can say is this is what happens when a city is built on the cheap. It eventually comes back to bite us in the butt. https://www.google.com/maps/@29.7781025,-95.3873417,3a,75y,359.44h,95.57t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sLHEtm_RnVkm5GFkYEK6Wsg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en Edited October 22, 2020 by dbigtex56 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avossos Posted October 22, 2020 Share Posted October 22, 2020 1 hour ago, TrainTrak said: I called the parks board and asked for an update on when this bridge will be opening back up. I was shocked to learn that it has sustained major structural damage and will need to be replaced. On top of that, there's no funding for a new bridge, so it's not opening back up for a long, long time. If you're wondering what you can do about this, contact your councilperson and ask for discretionary funds to be diverted to this project. This makes me sick. That bridge was such an important connector. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3mh Posted October 22, 2020 Author Share Posted October 22, 2020 Bugging CMs and maybe even Shelia Jackson Lee's office. I know many are triggered by the mention of SJL. But if there are federal funds available in a new stimulus bill, SJL is pretty good at bringing home the bacon. If this goes through the usual capital improvement process, it could be a decade before it gets replaced. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLWM8609 Posted October 22, 2020 Share Posted October 22, 2020 Rodney Ellis is an avid cyclist and supporter of the local bike trails. Contact his office too even though it's not in his precinct. Maybe he can influence Judge Hidalgo to send some funds toward bridge replacement. Also, if HCFCD is doing any work on that channel, it may have been due for replacement in the future. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilcal Posted October 22, 2020 Share Posted October 22, 2020 CoH has some COVID relief funds that they have to spend by the end of the year. I wonder if they can use some to provide for this social-distancing approved method of transportation? 2 hours ago, TrainTrak said: I called the parks board and asked for an update on when this bridge will be opening back up. I was shocked to learn that it has sustained major structural damage and will need to be replaced. On top of that, there's no funding for a new bridge, so it's not opening back up for a long, long time. If you're wondering what you can do about this, contact your councilperson and ask for discretionary funds to be diverted to this project. This is what I got from them 6 days ago when I asked: Quote our structural engineer completed their assessment and submitted a report to us and HPARD. We are now jointly reviewing it with HPARD and are considering the next steps for potential repairs. Once we have an agreement with HPARD on next steps, we will send out a public email notification So pretty much in line with what you heard. Sigh 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bedmondson Posted October 23, 2020 Share Posted October 23, 2020 What about the funds the Elan Heights apartments paid into the parks system when they were built? Never saw that get used for an improvement in the park like was supposed to happen. Also isn't there a TIRZ that could get involved? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cspwal Posted October 26, 2020 Share Posted October 26, 2020 The bridge looks pretty locked off for now Also, I'm not sure where to put it, but it looks like there is a new trail head being built. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triton Posted October 26, 2020 Share Posted October 26, 2020 Has there been any mention of adding lighting around this section of the trail? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cspwal Posted October 26, 2020 Share Posted October 26, 2020 I get the feeling the city still thinks of this as a park that they can just declare "closed" after dark 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
august948 Posted October 26, 2020 Share Posted October 26, 2020 11 hours ago, cspwal said: Also, I'm not sure where to put it, but it looks like there is a new trail head being built. Where is this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cspwal Posted October 26, 2020 Share Posted October 26, 2020 Just now, august948 said: Where is this? on the southern bank of White Oak bayou on the Heights bike trail https://www.google.com/maps/place/29°46'39.9"N+95°23'17.0"W/@29.7777592,-95.3886092,19z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d29.7777585!4d-95.3880625 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s3mh Posted December 14, 2020 Author Share Posted December 14, 2020 Looks like the bridge can be repaired and replacement is not necessary. Repairs should take 45-60 days once the parks board has permitting approval from the City, corps of engineers and HCFCD. So, the bridge will probably re-open sometime in early 2032 (kidding). Seriously, that seems like really good news. https://theleadernews.com/community/houston-parks-board-assesses-damage-to-pedestrian-bridge-seeks-approval-for-repairs/ 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triton Posted December 14, 2020 Share Posted December 14, 2020 2 hours ago, s3mh said: Looks like the bridge can be repaired and replacement is not necessary. Repairs should take 45-60 days once the parks board has permitting approval from the City, corps of engineers and HCFCD. So, the bridge will probably re-open sometime in early 2032 (kidding). Seriously, that seems like really good news. https://theleadernews.com/community/houston-parks-board-assesses-damage-to-pedestrian-bridge-seeks-approval-for-repairs/ Great Christmas present! Seriously, this bridge is so critical to a lot of my biking. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hindesky Posted December 21, 2020 Share Posted December 21, 2020 https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/transportation/article/Burned-bike-bridge-across-White-Oak-Bayou-to-15819274.php Burned bike bridge across White Oak Bayou to undergo repairs, remain closed a few more months Dug Begley Dec. 21, 2020 Bike riders who pedal through the Heights will need to keep burning calories past a key connection closed by fire in the region’s growing trail system.Just in time for winter, however, parks officials at least have a plan to reopen the MKT bridge in place, news welcomed by local cyclists eager to cross easily over White Oak Bayou again. “It’s just a killer to lose that bridge,” said Craig Arthur, 29, who bikes recreationally at least four days a week, often along the Heights Hike and Bike Trail. “I know a lot of people are wondering when it will reopen.” The closest answer officials could give now is, probably in the spring. A glimmer of hope but also a long wait as cycling interest in the area grows. As soon as Houston public works and engineering officials clear construction permits and verify the repair work, crews can repair abutments and slopes on the sides of the bridge, said Beth White, president and CEO of Houston Parks Board. Repairs would take between 45 and 60 days and cost about $100,000, paid for by the nonprofit parks board, which oversees the $220 million Bayou Greenways program. The MKT bridge closed Aug. 19, when Houston firefighters responded to a call about a brush fire affecting the bridge. Crews arrived to find a small wooded area ablaze and charring the wooden beams of the bridge. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hindesky Posted March 4, 2021 Share Posted March 4, 2021 Zero work appears to have been done and some of the existing wooden beams look in pretty bad shape, one of them looks hollow. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRed Posted March 5, 2021 Share Posted March 5, 2021 I think that metal one has been there for a while - it's the burned out wooden ones at the start of the bridge that need to be repaired. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilcal Posted May 27, 2021 Share Posted May 27, 2021 This got a brief aside mention in the Bicycle Advisory Committee Infrastructure subcommittee meeting yesterday. Basically, probably not going to be open until the end of the year at the earliest. The new connector next to it has slid a month to January completion and it might be done before this reopens. 1 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilcal Posted June 3, 2021 Share Posted June 3, 2021 Just got an email that everything is clear and construction will start at any time. Estimated repairs will take 60-90 days. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
talltexan83 Posted June 3, 2021 Share Posted June 3, 2021 On 10/25/2020 at 11:32 PM, cspwal said: Also, I'm not sure where to put it, but it looks like there is a new trail head being built. Not the most relevant comment, but seeing again that construction costs for the Bayou Greenway Park were about $2 million.........right after I read about the new 59S/610N interchange going for $250+ million. I know these are entirely different budgets/jurisdictions, but it's wild to think what would be possible if Bayou Greenways had an extra $250 million to spend on construction. I'd be willing to bet it would have a greater economic impact on the city than a new freeway interchange. https://houston.culturemap.com/news/city-life/06-01-21-610-loop-ramp-closing-us-59-southwest-freeway-june-3-june-9-txdot/ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrainTrak Posted June 4, 2021 Share Posted June 4, 2021 16 hours ago, wilcal said: Just got an email that everything is clear and construction will start at any time. Estimated repairs will take 60-90 days. Here's the full email for anyone that's curious. 90 days out of June 4 is September 2nd. I'm taking the over on that but will be great to have that bridge opened up again. Houston Parks Board has great news to share. As you know, the MKT hike-and-bike bridge has been closed due to damages sustained by a fire in August 2020. Since then, at the request of the City, we have been working diligently on shepherding the repair plans through the permitting process. We are pleased to share those plans have been approved, and repair activities on the site could start as early as this Friday, June 4. Repairs include the replacement of damaged bridge piles, the abutment backwall, and deck expansion joint. The estimated time frame is 60-90 days, weather permitting. Houston Parks Board appreciates the patience of surrounding community members and those who have been utilizing the detour for several months. The detour will remain in place during construction. We understand the MKT bridge is an important connection for the Heights Hike and Bike Trail and White Oak Bayou Greenway, and we look forward to seeing you back out there soon! Please let me know if you have any questions, and feel free to share this information with others in your community. Thank you, Lisa Kasianowitz Outreach Manager Houston Parks Board 300 North Post Oak Lane Houston, TX 77024 lisa@houstonparksboard.org T 713.942.8500 x14 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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