The beginning of May has already brought Houston some amazing weather, a new historical landmark, and a new way for Houstonians to get around and enjoy the city. A new addition to the White Oak Bayou Greenway was recently unveiled that includes a new hike and bike bridge over the bayou that connects and extends the Heights trail.
The White Oak Bayou bridge replaced the MKT Railroad Bridge between Shepherd and Moy Street, which some knew as the "BBQ Bridge."
The White Oak Bayou bridge replaced the MKT Railroad Bridge between Shepherd and Moy Street, which some knew as the "BBQ Bridge."
The trail was unveiled at at a “Bridge Bash” that brought out Houston cyclists, runners, and outdoor-lovers to enjoy the new bridge with fun family activities and a small ceremony and procession. Activities included face-painting, food trucks, and a virtual bike race by Texas GOLD Sprint’em.
The Houston Parks Board, Memorial Heights Redevelopment Authority and Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) 5, and the City of Houston opened the new segment as part of the Bayou Greenways 2020 initiative. The White Oaks Bayou Greenway was made possible through both private and public funding of the Bayou Greenways project, an ongoing expansion project to create a continuous park system along Houston’s major bayous.
Other funders who made the trail possible were the Brown Foundation, Wortham Foundation, Houston Endowment and Fondren Foundation. The construction for the trails that will connect the new bridge to the existing trails north of West 11 street will be funded by a Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant. The total cost is estimated to be $5 million.
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Houstonians gathered at the "Bridge Bash" to celebrate the unveiling.
