The Story Behind the I-30 Pedestrian Bridge in Dallas

Before a new bridge went in over Interstate 30, pedestrians had to traverse a dangerous roadway or use a nearby vehicle bridge that lacked a sidewalk.

1 minute read

January 24, 2020, 7:00 AM PST

By Camille Fink


Pedestrian Overpass

Tony Webster / Flickr

Nataly Keomoungkhoun takes a closer look at a new pedestrian bridge in Dallas spanning Interstate 30. It is part of the Texas Department of Transportation’s I-30/US 80 Project.

"[Texas Department of Transportation] data shows that on an average day in April 2016, about 164 people a day crossed the nearby St. Francis Avenue bridge, which has no true sidewalk," says Keomoungkhoun.

TxDOT advocated for the new bridge after a number of pedestrians were killed or injured trying to cross the interstate. In addition, rebuilding the St. Francis Avenue bridge to accommodate pedestrians would have been cost prohibitive.

Although pedestrians are using the bridge to cross the interstate, not everyone agrees it was the best plan. Some business owners in the area objected to the project arguing that it was a waste of money and would affect business operations. 

Monday, January 13, 2020 in The Dallas Morning News

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