First, a random photo from my most recent visit to Draper Lake. Along the main trail itself, there was simply too much uncontrolled greenery to get any good photos. However, I got off the trail and visited the southern shore of the lake for this shot. Crews had done some work and this part of the shoreline is off limits to bicycles, but not up on the cut bank.
This map was released by OKC Parks and Recreation back when the contract was announced. The red box at the top shows the relative location of the proposed Deep Fork Greenway Trail. It was broken into 4 phases, and yesterday I visited Phase 1, the eastern end. It’s been under construction for several months. The crew isn’t large and weather has caused some delays, not to mention a couple of surprises.
This bridge is quite new. I wasn’t expecting the city to use concrete decking. That means the frame is put in place first, as we’ll see later, and the concrete deck is added afterward. However, I’m not surprised to see that the bikeway bridge is separate from the roadway bridge. The latter is already on the list for upgrade/replacement some time later. I’m counting on this project to be finished late; almost nothing in OKC is done on time.
The trail ends abruptly after about one-third of a mile winding along the Deep Fork River bank. This part has been completed for months. I encountered what I took to be an inspector in a pick-up coming the other way; he just waved. I rode on the dirt for a ways because I suspected there was some cause for the unfinished work.
This is the cause. From what I could discern, having assisted with dirt work in the past, there was something buried here that required attention before it could be paved over. I couldn’t see anything in particular, but the digging pattern indicates something was there hindering the placement of a retaining wall, and it probably required waiting for whomever was legally responsible for it to do something with it. The contract would not likely have covered such surprises.
On the western end of Phase 1 is this undecked bridge along Kelly Avenue. You can see how it works. There is a stout corrugated steel bottom upon which the concrete is poured. Phase 2 will begin across the bridge, and then across the street westward (to the right in the image). It will run along the south bank of Deep Fork River near a historic mansion hidden in a forest. I believe the city owns the mansion and land, but it’s under preservation. Since it’s not ready for visitors, no one gets to see it without special arrangements.
So the bridge just stops? I’m kinda surprised the bridge isn’t blocked off if it isn’t finished.
I can imagine looking at that last bridge and thinking they could cross it. They’d find out pretty quick it’s uncomfortable walking.
Neither bridge has a completed apron, so you’d have to drag your bike up over the concrete edge. The only apparent footprints on either appeared to be those of the workers.