St. Louis: Stan Musial Memorial Bridge

[Arch City]

So it looks as if the $700-million New Mississippi River bridge (carrying I-70) at St. Louis will be named the Stan Musial Memorial Bridge - a baseball legend, Navy veteran, and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient. FYI, St. Louis loves its baseball and the St. Louis Cardinals organization, which has the second-most MLB championships behind the New York Yankees. The bridge will have a nighttime lighting system.

Here's a press release from Senator Claire McCaskill's office today.

‘Stan Musial Memorial Bridge’ Rounds Third, Clears Senate (http://mccaskill.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=1835)
Effort by Missouri and Illinois Senators to rename bridge for baseball great is on the cusp of becoming law

March 12, 2013

WASHINGTON - Legislation naming the new I-70 bridge over the Mississippi River in St. Louis the "Stan Musial Memorial Bridge" unanimously passed the United States Senate late last night with support from all four Missouri and Illinois Senators.

"I'm thrilled to see the ‘Stan Span' so close to becoming a reality, and urge my colleagues in the U.S. House to quickly approve this tribute," said U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.). "There's nobody I'd rather see welcoming folks into St. Louis than our hometown hero, Stan Musial."

"Naming the I-70 Bridge after Cardinals legend, Stan Musial, would be a fitting honor to a great American hero and the values he stood for," said U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.). "I am proud to have worked with Senators McCaskill, Blunt and Kirk on this bipartisan legislation as a tribute to one of our best."

"I'm pleased my Senate colleagues unanimously passed this bill to honor Missourian and baseball legend Stan Musial," said U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (R-Mo.). "Stan was a true hero to so many Americans, both on and off the field. This is a great way for us remember his legacy for years to come."

"I am pleased that the Senate moved quickly to pass legislation naming the new I-70 bridge over the Mississippi River after baseball legend, Navy veteran, and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Stan Musial," said U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.). "Stan Musial gave his all to the St. Louis and Metro East region and this is just one small way we can honor that legacy."

The legislation now heads to the U.S. House of Representatives for consideration.

Last month, all four Senators teamed-up to introduce the legislation-ensuring quick passage through the committee process and expedited consideration on the Senate floor.

In 2010, a bi-state Congressional delegation encouraged President Obama to consider Musial for the Presidential Medal of Freedom-an honor he received on February 15, 2011.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom recognizes those who have made an "especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors." The award was first given by President Harry S. Truman in 1945 to honor civilian service and was revived in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy.

Below the photos show Midtown, the Central West End and part of Clayton.

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[Arch City]

Work continues on the Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stan_Musial_Veterans_Memorial_Bridge). The paint job and light testing are under way. The $664-million new bridge, which will reroute I-70, is scheduled to open in 2014. Upon completion, the bridge will be the third longest cable-stayed bridge in the United States. Cables will stretch from the bridge deck to the tops of two A-shaped towers, which will reach 435 feet (133 m) above I-70.

Background, Midtown and the Central West End.

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Larger picture (http://www.flickr.com/photos/missriverbridge/10069477033/sizes/h/in/photostream/)

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Tri-Level in East St. Louis

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Clayton, in far background.
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[WonderlandPark]

TIED for second with the Giants. Nice bridge, though. Saw it U/C in 2012. Thought it was going more towards downtown.

[Centropolis]

i feel like the lines of that new bridge pair really well with the arch. i wish
more projects around st louis reflected the sort of the simple clean, but powerful lines of the arch and we ditched our obsession with nineteenth century historicism.

the height of that bridge is a little bit of a surprise.

[Arch City]

TIED for second with the Giants.

???

Thought it was going more towards downtown.
Naw. It is going through the North Riverfront industrial/port area, however, the bridge connects to Tucker Blvd., which runs through the heart of the CBD and Downtown West.

I imagine the white bridge will be needing a new paint job in five years with so much industry in the area.

[Arch City]

...........and we ditched our obsession with nineteenth century historicism.
Amen.

the height of that bridge is a little bit of a surprise.
On a clear day, you can see those suckers from about 10-miles or so west.

When it is fully lit, the bridge is going to have a major nighttime impression on the skyline.

[mousquet]

Cool bridge, that makes a stylish entrance to the inner city.

I imagine the white bridge will be needing a new paint job in five years with so much industry in the area.
Quite possibly. Visually/aesthetically, I find white is a good choice to this bridge, probably the best to bring it out in the cityscape. Now as far as maintenance goes... Cars alone will certainly dirty the lower parts of pylons and cables. Still, given the dimensions of structural elements (tall and super slender), dirt may take a little longer to be noticeable to this thing than to white/ecru textures on smaller buildings we're used to.

[jg6544]

Most amazing St. Louis bridge to me is still the Eads Bridge, built in 1867.

[mousquet]

^ :rolleyes: Aaaah, who said it was the most amazing anything? It's a good, useful, and totally contemporary addition for sure. Time will tell what it's worth.
I personally like it a lot as it is in the cityscape.

[untitledreality]

So does this mean they are ripping out I70 between I64 and this new bridge? Or at least reducing the roadway to a grade level boulevard? Or is this just a $700 million dollar boondoggle duplicating existing services?

[electricron]

So does this mean they are ripping out I70 between I64 and this new bridge? Or at least reducing the roadway to a grade level boulevard? Or is this just a $700 million dollar boondoggle duplicating existing services?

I believe it's another boondoggle providing additional capacity, not duplicate capacity.

All projects are boondoggles for those not using it, and wise investments for those that do use it. The very first boondoggle was supposedly the Panama Canal, for most of us it is a boondoggle because we don't believe we ever used it. But you might be surprised at how much we do use it, with all the shipment of crops and goods going through it.

[Rail>Auto]

So does this mean they are ripping out I70 between I64 and this new bridge? Or at least reducing the roadway to a grade level boulevard? Or is this just a $700 million dollar boondoggle duplicating existing services?

That's what I'm wondering as well. I thought the original plan was to downsize the area into a boulevard. But now I see a "magic carpet" of grass going over 55 to connect the arch with downtown STL.

The problem I see with ripping it up is that you would be taking up 55 as well and would take a piece of the loop around town out. However, no one hates interstates more than I so it wouldn't hurt my feelings to rip it up and get some land back that was lost with the 40 blocks that were demo'd for the arch. Would also help with letting Edward Jones Dome breathe.

As for the bridge, I'm usually opposed to roads and road bridges but this one seems like a pretty good deal. It avoids ripping up tons of land in E. Stl by being elevated and it also eliminates the need for auto congestion in downtown STL while avoiding being a sprawling beltway at the same time. Good bridge and good name!

[Arch City]

The new $667-million Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge is opening Sunday in St. Louis connecting Missouri (St. Louis) and Illinois (E. St. Louis). Carrying I-70, the 400' tall cable-stayed bridge is the third longest in the United States (2,803'/854 m).

Events were held today such as a 6K Run, cycling events and a public walk and exploration (http://www.kmov.com/news/local/Special-running-cycling-events-scheduled-for-Stan-Musial-bridge-opening-240762851.html) (video).

Also see video, New Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge lights up for grand opening (http://fox2now.com/2014/02/07/opening-ceremonies-preps-for-new-stan-musial-veterans-memorial-bridge/)

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Photos, St. Louis Post-Dispatch

[mousquet]

Boooooon, ok... This is now clearly some of the sexiest bridges you'll see at the entrance to a city core.

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It's all so f$ck$ng pure and gorgeous on these shots. It's unreal thanks to the lighting by night.

[cabasse]

wow, that is stunning. i had no idea something like that was getting built in the lou.

[ardecila]

This photo. :)

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Photos, St. Louis Post-Dispatch