[Johnson Street Bridge] - General discussion

Comment by Coreyburger [ 129800 ]

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:13:32 +0000

The city is going about updating is Official Community Plan by talking to citizens in coffee shops and through electronic surveys at kiosks. There is a myriad of topics, including the infrastructure question. Consulting with the public, this seems to be a step in the right direction. I wonder why this concept wasn't implemented before the city jumped onto the Blue Bridge replacement train. I trust this "public involvment" will extend to the future of the bridge, and not be a smoke screen to limit futher consultation beyond the Official Community Plan. http://www.timescolonist.com/business/City+hits+coffee+shops+malls+collect+citizens+views/2651431/story.html The OCP update is a separate process from the Blue Bridge replacement/refurbishment one. They are at two different scales of planning.

Comment by Bingo [ 129720 ]

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 18:25:00 +0000

Comment by Bingo [ 128939 ]

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 06:55:15 +0000

Refurbishment sounds wonderful until you realize that it will close the bridge for days at a time and we have no idea what is actually under the bridge. There are trolls under the bridge, and they like the bridge just the way it is.

Comment by martini [ 128932 ]

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 04:27:30 +0000

Interior of Roger's Chocolates is not a vital transportation link. Neither is the roller coaster at the PNE but it has landmark designation. Most of Oregon's bridges are vital transportation links and they opted to refurbish over replace.

Comment by Coreyburger [ 128929 ]

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 04:17:54 +0000

Exactly the same thing could be said for refurbishment. The cost escalations would dwarf and refurb overruns. I find it really interesting that the guts of Roger's Chocolates are considered a heritage site worth preserving but the JSB is not. Makes me nuts. :mad: Interior of Roger's Chocolates is not a vital transportation link.

Comment by aastra [ 128912 ]

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 20:54:30 +0000

There is way too much potential for cost escalation in refurbishment... Indeed. Straight from the horse's mouth: Rehabilitating the 85-year-old rusted bridge, at a cost of roughly $25 million, was considered but rejected. “We could buy us 40 years of life versus 100 years of life with a new bridge,” Lai explained. A new bridge, including the deck superstructure, piers and abutments will cost $29.3 million. Realigning roads and approaches adds $11.3 million. Engineering and design will cost about $5.3 million. A substantial $13.2 million contingency will be set aside because unexpected expenses could surface. Foundation costs may rise depending on how drilling proceeds. The deeper the foundation, the higher the price. Securing and building approach roads could hike project expenses. Re-establishing utility lines could jolt costs. And surprises, such as finding contaminated soil or First Nations’ burial sites, could affect the bottom line. http://www.journalofcommerce.com/article/id34008 It would be great if someone could provide a breakdown of all of the unexpected issues and overruns related to the retrofit of San Francisco's Third Street Bridge.

Comment by martini [ 128905 ]

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 19:05:57 +0000

Refurbishment sounds wonderful until you realize that it will close the bridge for days at a time and we have no idea what is actually under the bridge. Friends of mine have just decided to rebuild their house because they found that underneath the surface, the house is rotting away. Exactly the same thing can happen once we start digging around the pilings. And yes, we don't know. That is why I support replacement. There is way too much potential for cost escalation in refurbishment, we will still be left with a substandard bridge for cyclists/pedestrians/transit and replacement keeps the span open, keeping business flowing. Exactly the same thing could be said for refurbishment. The cost escalations would dwarf and refurb overruns. I find it really interesting that the guts of Roger's Chocolates are considered a heritage site worth preserving but the JSB is not. Makes me nuts. :mad:

Comment by Bingo [ 128878 ]

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:41:32 +0000

The 102 year old Empress Hotel is sitting on wood pilings driven into the harbour. During a major renovation in 1988 they were found to be in perfect condition. There is no reason to suspect that the pilings under the bridge would not be sound.

Comment by G-Man [ 128873 ]

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:54:13 +0000

Wouldn't a new bridge have to be built in the same spot? So same issues with pilings.

Comment by Coreyburger [ 128869 ]

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 09:27:25 +0000