Update on Gay Street Bridge Repairs

With the Gay Street Bridge expected to reopen in less than four months to pedestrians and bicyclists, here is an update on what to expect next - and how possible long-range options for a modern new bridge are being explored.



Short-term, after three detailed inspections pinpointed defects in the 127-year-old bridge, structural repairs to stabilize the bridge are mostly completed.

Blalock & Sons crews are continuing to make final repairs throughout this fall. The bridge remains on schedule to reopen to a limited number of pedestrians and bicyclists - but not to motorized vehicles - by Dec. 31, 2025.

But long-term - what happens when a bridge that opened in 1898, designed to carry horses and buggies and to last for 75 years, continues to age past its 127th year? What happens when more pieces warp or break?

Mayor Indya Kincannon's administration is asking City Council at its Tuesday meeting to authorize application for a $1 million Federal Highway Administration grant to step up the process of studying options for a possible modern replacement bridge - one that could once again bear the weight of motorized vehicles.

If Council authorizes the grant application, and if federal funds (with a $200,000 City local match) ultimately are approved, then bridge design specialists and City staff would hammer out preliminary plans for what happens if or when the current bridge can no longer be serviced.

How many years of service are left in the existing bridge? What's the cost-benefit analysis of a new bridge? The bridge until it closed in summer 2024 carried a relatively small number of vehicles - about 7,000 a day. Will traffic increase or decrease in the future? What size bridge would be needed?

The existing arched cantilever steel bridge is highly visible, and historic - it's one of downtown's centerpieces. Public input would determine residents' preferences on aesthetics and design. But costs can vary wildly, depending on size and design elements.

"The steel is 127 years old, and it's really fatigued," Engineering Director Tom Clabo said, holding a warped batten plate with holes rusted through it that was replaced on the bridge this summer. "We are stabilizing the bridge, and it will be safe for pedestrians and bicyclists when we reopen it. But it will continue to age.

"We will be thoroughly inspecting the bridge, about every three months. We will continue to see more fatigue and cracking. How long until more repairs are needed? The bridge will tell us.

"By pursuing this planning grant, we're keeping options open and creating a path forward for when a new bridge might be needed."

Meanwhile, look for changes coming this fall to the north end of the bridge, where Gay Street and Hill Avenue intersect.

Currently, there are vehicle turn lanes that are no longer needed, since the Gay Street Bridge can no longer carry cars and trucks.

The bridge entrance will be narrowed to 16 feet, and the asphalt vehicle turn lanes will be removed by Blalock, replaced by landscaping by City crews. In effect, a small plaza will be created, beginning in October.

"This will change the character of the intersection to more safely accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists," Clabo said.