Earlier Process FAQs

Q:  Why were couplets considered along with single bridge options?
A:  Couplets offered some benefits over a single bridge, with trade-offs.

Couplets were considered for two potential benefits. First, having a second bridge could improve how construction is phased because there would always be one bridge open for traffic over the river during the construction period. Secondly, half of the current SH 82 traffic would be transferred from Grand Avenue to another street, which could potentially reduce Grand Avenue’s width between 7th and 9th Streets, making space for additional parking spaces or pedestrian areas in this section. One of the trade-offs is that parking spaces would be reduced on the street that is other half of the couplet and two streets would need to accommodate Grand Avenue traffic rather than one.

During the alternatives evaluation process, couplets were eliminated from further consideration based on public input and the increased impacts to local streets and businesses, increased increase noise and safety impacts to nearby neighborhoods, operational issues with introducing “S” curves into SH 82, right-of-way impacts, and aesthetic concerns of two bridges.

 

Q:  If the traffic is routed onto Colorado Avenue as part of a couplet alternative, will there be back-ups merging back onto Grand Avenue?
A:  Not any more than there are today at 6th Street and Grand Avenue.

As a general rule, drivers must slow down when they turn or change direction. The double-left from Colorado Avenue to 9th Street, then the double-right turns from 9th Street to Grand Avenue would slow down traffic in the same manner that traffic is currently slowed at the intersection of 6th Street and Grand Avenue at the north end of the bridge. Signal timing would be used to control the SH 82 traffic flow to minimize congestion at these turns and to create improved pedestrian crossings.