Ronald Kirk Bridge facts for kids
The Ronald Kirk Bridge is a special bridge in Dallas, Texas. It's a footbridge that goes over the Trinity River. This bridge connects two parts of Dallas: Downtown Dallas and West Dallas. It runs right next to the newer Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, which is for cars, and an old railway bridge from 1930.
Quick facts for kids Ronald Kirk Pedestrian Bridge |
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Ronald Kirk Bridge in 2015
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| Coordinates | 32°46′51″N 96°49′22″W / 32.780901°N 96.822768°W |
| Carries | Pedestrians (since June 15, 2014) |
| Crosses | Trinity River |
| Locale | Continental Ave. in Dallas, Texas |
| Official name | Ronald Kirk Bridge |
| Other name(s) | Lamar-McKinney Viaduct, Continental Avenue Bridge |
| Named for | Ron Kirk |
| Owner | City of Dallas |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Multi-span plate girder bridge |
| Material | concrete, steel |
| Total length | 2,105 feet (642 m) |
| Width | 60 feet (18 m) |
| Number of spans | 43 |
| History | |
| Designer | Francis Dey Hughes |
| Constructed by | L.H. Lay Company |
| Construction begin | 1929 |
| Construction end | 1930 |
| Opened | 1932 |
| Closed | 2013 (vehicular) |
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Lamar-McKinney Bridge
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| Area | 3 acres (1.2 ha) |
| MPS | Historic Road Infrastructure of Texas, 1866-1965 |
| NRHP reference No. | 15000708 |
| Added to NRHP | October 5, 2015 |
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Contents
How the Bridge Was Built
The Ronald Kirk Bridge was first built in 1933. It was called the Lamar-McKinney Viaduct back then. A viaduct is like a very long bridge that carries a road or railway over a valley or low ground. This bridge was made to help cars cross the Trinity River. The river sometimes flooded, so the bridge was important for getting to West Dallas safely. It was finished 27 years after a big flood in 1908 that covered most of the area.
Why the Bridge Was Renamed
The bridge used to be known as the Continental Avenue Bridge. In 2016, it was given a new name: the Ronald Kirk Bridge. This was done to honor Ronald Kirk. He was a very important person because he was the first African-American mayor of Dallas.
Making the Bridge New Again
By 2010, the bridge was getting old and needed a lot of work. People started making plans to fix up Continental Avenue and the bridge. During this time, a new bridge for cars, the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, was finished in 2012. Because of this new bridge, the city decided the old Continental Avenue Bridge didn't need to carry cars anymore.
Instead, they decided to turn it into a bridge just for people walking and biking. This idea fit perfectly with plans for a new park nearby, Klyde Warren Park. The bridge would become a fun place for people to visit and enjoy.
When the Bridge Reopened
The Ronald Kirk Bridge officially reopened on Sunday, June 15, 2014. That day was Father's Day! When it opened, it had lots of cool new features. There was a playground, a splash park, and even lounge chairs where people could relax. You could also find human-sized chess boards for a fun game. A special cloth ceiling was added to give shade from the sun. The bridge also connected to many trails in the Trinity River Basin and on the levees, making it a great spot for outdoor activities.
This bridge is an important part of a bigger project called the Trinity River Project, which aims to improve the entire river area for everyone.
