Tennessee The City of Pigeon Forge plans to build the LeConte Center, a 232,599-sq-ft multipurpose special-events center. It will contain a 100,500-sq-ft exhibit hall, a 12,000-sq-ft hall that can be divided into three separate spaces, eight multipurpose rooms ranging from 750 to 2,000 sq ft, and six loading bays. Pigeon River Land Partners LLC will serve as the developer during construction, but the Pigeon Forge Industrial Development Board will own and operate the center. Construction is expected to begin this summer and be completed by September 2013. The construction cost is estimated to be $44.9 million. Mike Wilds, project manager, P.O. Box 6774, Sevierville, 37864.
Texas The City of Dallas is planning to replace the Sylvan Avenue Bridge, which crosses the Trinity River and its floodplain. The project entails building a 3,446-ft-long, 23-span bridge that will have three lanes in each direction. Serving a dual purpose, the outside lanes will be wide enough to accommodate both vehicles and bicycles; furthermore, there will be sidewalks for pedestrians on each side of the bridge. The project also includes an 890-ft-long, two-lane ramp into the floodway to provide access to Trammell Crow Park and the boat ramp. The estimated construction cost is $38 million. The Texas Dept. of Transportation has set a bid deadline of July 7, 2011, and construction is expected to begin this fall. Texas Dept. of Transportation, 4777 E. Highway 80, Mesquite, 75150.