Changes PossibleTo West 7th Street Bridge In Fort Worth

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FORT WORTH (CBS11) - Fort Worth's iconic West Seventh Street Bridge is only two years old but it has a trouble with water. It leaks into the lighting and electrical system knocking out lights after a rain.

"Half the bridge will be lit up and then the other half will be totally dark," said Fort Worth resident Tom Bruner who frequently walks across the bridge.

Bruner has seen the effects of lights shorting out on Fort Worth's showcase bridge.

At times parts of pedestrian walkways Bruner uses are in shadows, making ideal hideaways for homeless people.

"I mean most of them are sound asleep," Bruner said. "But they're there because it's dark and they've got a hidden place out of view. But there's people walking with their kids sometimes, with their dogs."

"The water has been collecting in the connectors and the wiring," Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price said. "And it's shorted the lights out. That's it, short and sweet."

Now the city is looking at a $200,000 fix that will change the look of the bridge at night to more colorful hues.

The repair would waterproof the wiring and put in LED lights that can change color for special occasions.

Two years ago, the bridge was built in a modular way that was a new technique. That new design may have led to the problems but it also saved the city more than enough in construction costs to pay for repairs.

"TXDOT has returned $1.8 million in funds we sent them as part of the overage, money that wasn't used," Mayor Price said. "And we will use that to do the repairs."

"I think it's very important they fix those lights," Bruner said. "Very, very important. Especially for a pedestrian-friendly city."

City staff says if council approves funding work could be completed in a matter of months.

City documents show the contractor on the project has already dealt with a power source and pedestrian walkway lighting identified by the city as part of the electrical and lighting repair needed on the bridge.

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