Hootin' Anni's Day Trippin' : New Bridge

Showing posts with label New Bridge. Show all posts

§ Bridge Over Troubled Waters....

On Sunday morning, very early...just as the sun was rising, I left for Sunset Lakes Park in Portland Texas. Reasoning behind such an early beginning, I had to use the Expressway to reach the park. And this is where the new expansion bridge is being built....where the Expressway and Interstate 37 and Highway 181 intersect. I have been avoiding that area for a couple of months. I knew it would be a messy situation and no doubt narrowed sections of highway because of all the building and construction going on. To my surprise, since it's been such a while since I've been there...I was in awe, a bit anxious, and quite confounded at the sight! And I was sure glad it was Sunday, early enough for very little to no traffic congestion. I know for sure I'm glad I'm retired and not having to drive this each day to get to work during rush hour. There wouldn't be enough tequila in stock at home for me to get through this mess each and every day...twice!

What used to be used to enter the I 37 corridor and cut off to highway 181 from Crosstown Expressway, it was a simple maneuver before this new bridge. Just one exit ramp. Now? Oh my goodness!! The exit ramp is now UNDER an overpass. Kinda awe inspiring yet tricky to actually find if you're not familiar with the city. Then, there are a few unfinished sections of highway above my head as I exit! Scary? Kinda! After getting through the construction, I'm now on my way to cross the still existing, still being used, Harbor Bridge. Once crossing THAT, there is more construction on the other side of the ship channel/Port of Corpus Christi. And narrowing lanes and curves. I slowed down to a snail's pace through it all. Finally reaching the causeway that crosses the North Bay and River outlet. Home free! Walking the trail at the park, I enjoyed the ambiance of what nature and beautiful weather laid in store for me, but Hmmmmm, now I had to go back the way I came. Through it all, AGAIN!!

Not bad here, coming OUT of the construction zone
I still sit here at the computer typing this up, seeing the conglomeration of constructions, pylons, stanchions, at one point what seemed like I'd drive right into an unfinished highway section above my head...head on, and marvel a bit...breathlessly. To see this all come together in a matter of a couple more years will be an engineering feat.

Views from walking the trail...

...and to continue showcasing my Trolls...

↓ My 26th Troll Share ↓

TROLL DOLL COLLECTION
Holiday Themed
Masked Trick r Treater

circa: 80s

§ Harbor Bridge Walk...

Some know already that the city of Corpus Christi is getting a new harbor bridge. The planning and beginning was back in 2016!! It was slated to be completed by the year 2020. Well, not surprising, the completion date was delayed. TXDot [department of transportation] terminated the production indefinitely; until some political and safety issues were mediated and reconciled before any continuation. For months it was all at a stand-still. The work is now once again in progress, and the new bridge opening is slated for 2023. LOL All I can say is typical government work. There is always something. Being the layman that I am, I'm sure there were legitimate reasons, but why so long? I'll never know. Anyway, on Saturday morning before Easter, I decided to go for a walk UNDER the "old" bridge that is still in use [built in 1959], and walk along the corridor that takes me to the farm team's ballpark for the Houston Astros [Corpus Christi Hooks], then beyond the ball field to inspect just how much progress is evident on the new expansion bridge. I'll begin with the exterior of the Whataburger Field [Whataburger is a Texas iconic hamburger fast food establishment]...

Then, beyond the parking lots and down the streets, I viewed this scene:

Reversing my steps, I then walked back about another mile or so to the Port o Call entry way, just under the bridge that is still in use. In this three series below, you can see the "Old" bridge and the new expansion section of the "New" bridge in the background:

I will now add a dose of a view beyond the channel looking east out into the bay...

After walking in this section of town, I ended up driving to a nearby park to go birding a bit before heading back home.

§ In the News...

A couple of things on my 'to do list' have been done. One is to register for the 5K heart walk in October. Got that done this week, and pledged the dollar amount for me to raise before the 'big day'. Then, something I've been meaning to do and haven't up until this week, I also registered to go on the Harbor Bridge Walk at the end of August. This isn't anything special...it will be just a short lecture and then those that attend will get to put their name on the new bridge for a permanent signature. I am looking forward to this...hope I learn some good things about the construction and details as I've been faithfully following its progress.

I've also been patiently waiting for the crowds to thin out so I can go see the new Lion King movie. Hopefully this week sometime. The theater I go to is a 16 plex. And they have the movie in 13 of them [all day long and into the night]!!! The last time I was in the vicinity of the cineplex the parking lot has been full to capacity and tickets have been sold out in advance. Since I don't like crowds, I try to have patience. As some of you may know, the master bedroom at Anni's abode is themed ...movies. From GWTW, Wizard of oZ, Casablanca, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Phantom of the Opera, Cars, Kung Fu Panda, The Corpse Bride and more...I added a piece to the collection/decor. I have always liked plush, soft, stuffed animals:

It talks and sings Pumbaa

I found a recently published novel about Abraham Lincoln [16th president of USA]. The subject which has been under a long drug out debate and scrutinized by many experts...was Lincoln bisexual. Many theories tend to agree he had many gay tendencies; truth, not myth, he was known to sleep with men [witness testimonies]. And let's face it, if you're up on history, Mary Todd Lincoln wasn't a perfect specimen for a wife. Was his marriage to her a 'showcase' to deviate from the truth? Anyway, be it that he WAS gay or WASN'T gay, that remains a long sought out saga. And, no-one will ever know....just surmise or agree to disagree. The book I purchased, A FRIEND OF MR. LINCOLN by Stephen Harrigan will be quite interesting to say the least. AT LEAST....I hope so. The title alone piqued my interest, and it was on sale at half price, so no big loss if it turns out to be one of those glorified fact based novels that tend to give no clue to possible truths.

Lincoln's Bisexuality

§ Bridges of Nueces County

I recently mentioned I took a detour off the freeway last weekend to check out the progress of the new bridge. I must say it's a messy area to drive these days with all the construction and demolition of the existing roadways and buildings being torn down for future on-ramps and exits. And when I'm down on the bottom-lands, the one-ways, and through-traffic lanes are a bit confusing. Anyway, the bridge...it's supposedly going to be [once complete] the longest 'cable-stayed' bridge in the United States, and will mark the records as being the tallest point in South Texas (538 feet). It will be xeriscaped, have a walkway plus a bike path, etc. All at the cost of one billion dollars. Completion is scheduled to be 2020/2021.

As I took the detour, early Sunday morning with very little traffic, I pulled off and got out with my cellphone and snapped a few photos of the recent development. The photos really don't show the size of it all. My full sized car was dwarfed, I felt like an ant in the world of giants. In a couple photos take note of the traffic lights that are higher than a semi truck's cargo trailer is tall [average height of semi would be 14 feet] , and maybe you can get the perspective and depth of it all. Keep in mind that this is the land and not where it crosses over the ship channel which will be higher yet to allow cruise ships and super tankers to pass under to be able to dock at the port of entry.

source: The New Bridge Project dot Com
photo of completed bridge courtesy of Harbor Bridge Project

§ Sunday Driver!!!

I left early for one purpose only...to check on the progress of the nest mentioned in the previous post. When I got there, I saw that there were no baby Killdeer...and mama was still incubating. Papa was no where to be seen. I didn't want to disturb the family any more than I did...

it was hot already and I didn't feel much up to walking a long distance in the humidity of the early morning, so I drove to the nearby park in Calallen and walked a very little distance around to the two ponds and over the boardwalk by the river---

After that little bit of morning exercise and the heat index creeping up on triple digits, I drove around the back side of the ship channel with a destination in mind. The rookery in the North Bay. It's a shaded area with a continual light breeze off the water. There I saw a whole slew of different birds active with nest building, breeding rituals, flight, and incubation. I took a few photos and left the area, stopping at the new expansion bridge before reaching harbor bridge [harbor bridge can be seen behind the new stanchions in the last photo] ...

...then, the grocery store and afterward, headed home. Making it all a short morning cruise around town. By the time I reached our garage the car thermometer recorded 97 degrees...at 10 a.m.!!! WITHOUT heat index factored in.

§ Gone Fishing....

Note: Composed Saturday, posted Sunday morning---

It's Saturday morning, and it's been raining for several hours! Not much to do then, except for laundry and a bit of reading and movie watching later today and this evening. After working outdoors a bit yesterday, Bud and I watched two movies. Both Oscar contenders. During the Christmas break [2017] we went to the theater to see Darkest Hour. Last Tuesday it came out on DVD and I stopped to buy it on the way home, taking with me another highly praised movie...Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri. I can't understand why this was/is getting such high accolades. It's okay; the language is foul!!! But, to me it's violent, sick, and quite disturbing!!! Maybe with so much of the hashtag Me Too and now the Florida school slaying in the news, it's noteworthy to some. I just can see it. Truly, Frances McDormand has a great talent...she pulled off her leading role in the movie with panache/pizzazz! Three things bothered me throughout the movie [four if I include the premature ending...altho I was GLAD it was done]...the aforementioned language, the killing/suicides/body-burning, and all the posthumous letters read. Drama/Vilolence/Comedy? I don't think so...if it wins the Movie of the Year,...I won't be surprised, but highly disappointed.

I'd much prefer Darkest Hour win the movie of the year. AND Gary Oldman taking the top Oscar for leading actor as Winston Churchill. I am constantly astounded by the talent washing through this movie...the acting, the sets, the very accurate [his]story, directing and most of all the makeup artist that worked on Mr. Oldman to change him from this to Churchill

Sunday night...Oscars.
I love watching the preview mostly...the Red Carpet prior to the ceremony for the fashions...I'm sure this year, most female celebrities will be wearing black. It's become so political...but I still force myself to enjoy!!

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courtesy of local news station
"2020 it's expected to be complete."
The project will include the development, design, construction and maintenance of a total of 6.44 miles of bridge and connecting roadway. The bridge will include six-lane sections of US 181, three lanes in each direction with a median barrier, shoulders, and a bicycle and pedestrian shared-use path. Additionally, the project includes the reconstruction of approximately 1.6 miles of I-37, reconstruction of approximately one mile of the Crosstown Expressway and demolition of the existing Harbor Bridge.

Updates courtesy of Harbor Bridge Project

While driving around, it was a quiet section, traffic-wise, so I slowed down to check out the progress of the new expansion bridge that is being built to replace the 'old harbor bridge' [built in 1952]...I was able to drive slow enough to take some photos...

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GONE FISHING
The other day, I was driving to search for a reported rare bird [one from Europe so I wasn't expecting to find it actually, but we HAVE had long, lost vagrants that seem to show up ocassionally]. I was sure it was a 'hoax' reporting. I did see several species along the way: Skimmers, Yellowlegs, Willets, seagulls, plovers, cormorants, pelicans, wintering ducks, and year 'round resident ducks, herons, egrets and more. Besides, I could stop along the bay, and walk along the coast line. When I finished my 'half way mark' to turn around to go back along the way I had come, nearing the end of my walk, a Great Blue Heron caught a fish!! I snapped a sequence of photos as what looks like bass wriggling in its captor's jaws...

I was also able to get some good close up images of a Herring Gull [one of the largest in North America]...in its 3rd year plumage. They're very large, beautiful and, my special feature...pink feet!!!! I'll get to resizing the photos someday soon.