DALLAS – Dallas residents watched as the downtown skyline changed a bit.
Workers spent Saturday morning putting the finishing touches on the eastbound arch of the new Margaret McDermott Bridge.
In the shadows of the new arch, soaring 275 feet over Interstate 30, workers at the Melt Ice Cream pop-up shop in Oak Cliff were chatting about change.
"Oak Cliff has begun to boom," Kassy Debord said.
Neighbors have been watching construction of the massive arch over the new bridge since January of this year. Workers installed the arch's crown early Saturday morning.
"It's a new element for the City of Dallas," Debord said. "It's a great way for the community to come closer."
The bridge over the Trinity and its twin arches are part of the $798 million Dallas Horseshoe Project, connecting Interstate 30 and the Interstate 35E mixmaster.
The bridge's new, 328-foot arch feature was designed by Santiago Calatrava. He is the same architect who designed the arch over the nearby Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge.
Once the Margaret McDermott Bridge is completed in 2017, it will also have two bike and pedestrian lanes.
"It's wonderful to see that Dallas continues to expand," Debord said. "I know that several years ago, Oak Cliff did not have the greatest reputation, and now it's one of the best local communities in Dallas."
Neighbors who have been watching the progress expect the completed arch will add another bit of excitement to the Dallas skyline.
"When I look out the window, or when I'm driving to work, that bridge just changes the aesthetic," said Jess McNabb.
To learn more about the construction surrounding the new Margaret McDermott Bridge, you can visit the Dallas Horseshoe website at this link.
By way of comparison, the landmark Gateway Arch in St. Louis is 355 feet higher than the McDermott Bridge arches.
