22 January 2013

My Tucson hikin/bikin buddy Jim invited me up for a spin and some lunch. We started from his house near River and 1st Ave. We took the Rillito River pathway to Mountain and then down Mountain to the UofA. Here we stopped for a breather and to check out the latest in ladies fashions. We like.

Then it was on to the Aviation Parkway area where we crossed a couple really cool pedestrian bridges.

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Note the sign says "Diamondback Bridge".

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This amazing bridge mimics the tail, body and head of a Diamondback Rattle Snake which is common in these here parts.

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My biking guide Jim. At the end of the bridge opening there is a metal box which sounds out a rattle every time someone goes by. Pretty cool.

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I did not even notice the tail shadow when I snapped this shot.

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And here is the head of the Diamondback.

The metal work was done by Paramount Roll and Forming Inc, of Los Angeles, California.

Diamondback Bridge brings functional public art to the bicycle and pedestrian network underway in Tucson, Arizona. Walking through the belly of a giant rattlesnake - with 11-foot high fangs, translucent eyes that light up, and a 20-foot high tail equipped with a 300-pound fiberglass rattlesnake - offers a fun and whimsical experience for residents and visitors to safely cross six lanes of traffic handling more than 34,500 vehicles per day.

Diamondback Bridge has a unique rounded underside concrete superstructure with stripe rustication that resembles a diamondback's belly. Pedestrian fencing reinforces the snake-like body using circular tube-steel framing that creates a diamond pattern and expanded metal fencing suggests a scaly skin.

Source: Active Living Network

The bridge was pricey! And there was about $800,000 in cost overruns. But that seems par for the course for most government projects.
Now, apparently, there is no money to maintain it!

The Diamondback Bridge, officially known as the Broadway Bicycle/Pedestrian Bridge, cost $2.47 million and was completed in May 2002 after being delayed when two trucks plowed into its support structures during construction in 2001.
Local artist Simon Donovan came up with the concept for the bridge; TY Lin International designed it; and Hunter Contracting Co. handled construction.
The Federal Highway Administration granted it an Excellence in Highway Design award in 2002, and the American Public Works Association named the bridge the 2003 Public Works Project of the Year.
The Diamondback Bridge connects on a path to the $3.4 million Basket Bridge, which spans Euclid Avenue south of Broadway and was finished in 2007 as part of a pedestrian and bike path that extends to South Craycroft and East Golf Links roads.

Source: © Copyright 2013, Arizona Daily Star

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Jim is a foodie and can always be relied upon to find a good place to eat. Todays choice was Cafe Poca Cosa.
This place is definitely more trendy/upscale than this HillBillyRedNeck is used to!

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Our waiter went into great detail about each dish - and I can remember none of it. And, since the menu changes daily there are no print or web menus to remind me of what I ate. But, I can tell you it was mighty tasty! And, there was more than enough.

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I chose the "Pollo Campirano". Translation: Chicken and a bunch of fresh greens and veggies.

I did find this description elsewhere:
"Chicken breast cooked with bell peppers, squash, onions and tomatoes. Served with rice and beans, lettuce, sour cream, pico de gallo and warm tortillas."

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Jim chose the Chef's special which was a medley of tasty treats.

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A most excellent lunch and bike ride. Thanks, Jim!!!.

 

'Till next time...

 

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