New Boulder Bridge to Brady District Announced
A major step for revitalization and increased economic
development in downtown Tulsa will begin in September with the
construction of a new Boulder Avenue bridge spanning the downtown
BNSF railroad tracks and linking First Street to Archer Street.
Mayor Dewey Bartlett was joined by representatives of the Brady
Arts District Owners Association, Downtown Coordinating Council and
the Tulsa Metro Chamber of Commerce in making this important
announcement that will help downtown Tulsa to continue moving
forward.
Mayor Bartlett said, "The new Boulder Bridge will provide a
needed link, for both vehicles and pedestrians, between the
restaurants, entertainment venues and cultural attractions in the
Brady District and ONEOK Field, the BOK Center and other portions
of the downtown area."
The bridge will connect the Brady Arts District with downtown,
and the existing Boulder Avenue continues the connection south to
Veterans Park near the Arkansas River. The old Boulder Avenue
bridge, built in 1929, was closed to traffic a decade ago and was
demolished in 2009. The new Boulder bridge will have four lanes to
accommodate both north- and southbound traffic and will include an
extra-wide sidewalk for pedestrian use. It also fits in the overall
downtown master plan, designed with transit potential as a downtown
trolley route.
Landscaping will include Boston ivy, holly and roses at the
approach ends of the bridge near the outside retaining walls. Art
students from Tulsa Technology Center have designed artwork for the
bridge fencing that represents Tulsa's history and culture through
to the future.
The City of Tulsa has contracted with Becco Contractors Inc. for
this $8,296,349.60 project, which includes bridge construction,
landscaping, lighting and artwork installation. Completion of the
project is scheduled for summer 2012.
Construction funding for the bridge comes from both the 2006
Third-Penny Sales Tax and the 2008 Bond Issue. SAIC Energy,
Environment & Infrastructure L.L.C. was the design engineering
consultant for the project.
