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Failure of Power is a production of Texas Public Radio and The Texas Newsroom, a collaboration between public radio stations across the state and NPR.
When the Texas power grid failed during a historic winter storm, millions of people were left in the cold and dark. The operator of that grid, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) said they were only moments away from an absolute nightmare scenario: a statewide blackout that could have lasted weeks or months.
The storm was unprecedented but it wasn’t unpredictable. How did this disaster happen, and what can be done to prevent a similar failure?
Artist rendering of completed land bridge
For the first time, San Antonians are expected to cross the newly completed Robert L.B. Tobin Land Bridge at Phil Hardberger Park in the north central side of the city.
Construction barriers will be removed from the bridge over Wurzbach Parkway at 1 p.m. this Friday, according to a news release.
The bridge will be covered with native trees and plants and connects the previously divided 330-acre park.
Courtesy City of San Antonio Parks & Recreation
The project was funded through private donations and the voter-approved City of San Antonio 2017-2022 Bond Program.
“For many years, the Robert L.B. Tobin Land Bridge was only a dream. Thanks to overwhelming community support of the 2017 Bond, the generosity of donors from across the city and the hard work and dedication of so many, the vision is now a reality,” said Phil Hardberger, a former San Antonio Mayor and judge.