With a stormy skyline as a backdrop, Dallas Observer columnist Jim Schutze this morning marked progress on the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge construction project. When city officials and workers weren’t paying attention, Schutze surreptitiously lowered his khakis and defecated inside the top piece of steel on the bridge’s center arch, which officials hope to have installed by the end of the month.
“I’ve written for so long that this bridge is a total waste of money, and now I’m actually seeing it come to fruition,” Schutze said. “I wanted to mark the occasion.”
The 1,800-foot span, designed by famed architect Santiago Calatrava, is one of three planned bridges over the Trinity River. The other two still lack funding.
Signs of progress on the Hunt Hill Bridge began May 28 when the first pieces of the arch were raised. City officials hope the center arch, which will tower 400 feet above the bridge deck, will become a Dallas landmark.
City Manager Mary Suhm said no delays are expected in the construction of the arch. The $117 million bridge is expected to be completed by the end of 2011.
“It just pisses me off,” Schutze said. “I mean, I can see this thing being built from the Observer offices. Every day, I can see the construction progressing. It taunts me. So I came down here and crapped in the top piece of steel on the bridge’s center arch. And, yes, I feel better.”
