‘Skybridge’ project update: City approves 2 new development contracts

The City of Huntsville last week entered into contact with developers and engineers for the Pedestrian Access & Redevelopment Corridor (PARC) project–dubbed the “Skybridge Project” among locals–which will reduce flooding from Pinhook Creek.

The city awarded contracts to Lambert Contracting LLC and GTEC LLC.

Contracts awarded for PARC + The ‘Skybridge?’

Work is expected to begin this year on the PARC project, although the groundbreaking was initially planned for 2025. The project is slated for completion in 2028.

The PARC project aims to reduce flooding, improve pedestrian and cyclist connectivity, transportation safety, public park space and economic development within the core of the city.

Components of the PARC project include:

• 1.2 miles of linear park space
• 5,600 feet of Pinhook Creek channel excavation
• 3,200 feet of low-flow channel along Pinhook Creek
• 6,000 linear feet of greenway
• Three precast pedestrian bridges over Pinhook Creek
• One concrete railroad bridge replacing the wooden bridge adjacent to Heart of Huntsville Drive
• 1,400 feet of pedestrian cable suspension bridge (the “Skybridge”)

Lambert Contracting’s contract includes the improvements to approximately 3,200 linear feet of Pinhook Creek for flood mitigation from Holmes Avenue to Memorial Parkway. The project includes about 100,000 cubic yards of excavation and about 90,000 square feet of retaining walls.

The decorative retaining walls will be on the east side of the channel while the bank on the west side of the channel will be excavated to create a low flow channel promoting stream restoration using seawalls and rock slabs to create pools for continuous aquatic habitat.

This area will become part of the project’s lower greenway network.

The contract for GTEC LLC is for structural foundations for the three precast pedestrian bridges across Pinhook Creek. The bridges will be built in the fourth and final phase of the project.

Contracts have already been approved with:

• Rosales + Partners for $1,929,000 (that will finalize plans for the cable suspension bridge across Memorial Parkway). The contract scope includes permitting, testing, specifications, details and peer review.
• Garver LLC for $999,978 that will outline plans for Pinhook Creek channel improvements. The contract scope includes permitting, structural design, hardscape and landscape features.

The PARC project creates a direct connection across two major U.S. highways for residents, workers and visitors to access vital job centers, community services and to safely travel without the need of a vehicle in addition to added benefits of flood mitigation and stream restoration measures.

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