The City of Huntsville has awarded contracts to Lambert Contracting LLC and GTEC LLC for the first phases of the Pedestrian Access & Redevelopment Corridor (PARC) project, often referred to locally as the “Skybridge Project.” The move, approved last week, initiates work on the multi-year undertaking designed to mitigate flooding from Pinhook Creek and enhance pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure.
Lambert Contracting’s $20 million contract, as reported by al.com, focuses on improving approximately 3,200 linear feet of Pinhook Creek between Holmes Avenue and Memorial Parkway. This initial phase involves roughly 100,000 cubic yards of excavation and the construction of 90,000 square feet of retaining walls. The design incorporates decorative retaining walls on the creek’s east bank and stream restoration features, including seawalls and rock slabs, on the west bank to create aquatic habitats.
GTEC LLC’s contract centers on the structural foundations for three precast pedestrian bridges that will span Pinhook Creek, according to a statement from the City of Huntsville. These bridges are slated for construction in the fourth and final phase of the PARC project.
The PARC project, with an estimated completion date of 2028, encompasses a broad range of improvements, including 1.2 miles of linear park space, 5,600 feet of Pinhook Creek channel excavation, 3,200 feet of low-flow channel, 6,000 linear feet of greenway, and a concrete railroad bridge replacing an existing wooden structure near Heart of Huntsville Drive. A key component is a 1,400-foot pedestrian cable suspension bridge – the “Skybridge” – across Memorial Parkway.
Additional contracts have already been awarded for specific aspects of the project. Rosales + Partners received $1,929,000 to finalize plans for the cable suspension bridge, covering permitting, testing, and detailed design work. Garver LLC was awarded $999,978 to develop plans for the Pinhook Creek channel improvements, including structural design and landscaping.
City officials have stated that the PARC project aims to create a direct connection for residents, workers, and visitors across U.S. Highways, providing access to job centers and community services while promoting safe, non-vehicular transportation. Work on the first phase is expected to begin this year, despite an initial plan for a 2025 groundbreaking.
