Star Tribune Graphic of Bridge Construction
Larger image
Residents, business and community members, representatives from the parks, preservation and arts communities, as well as various elected and appointed officials from local, state and federal governments voted at a bridge design charette on various aspects of the bridge design including pier shape, lighting and color.
Renderings of new bridge
Selected: Option A received 74 percent of the vote at the design workshop.
Visualization (2.3mb, wmv file)
Pier Shape
The pier shape is reflective curves with the dominant curve shaping along the length of the bridge, tapering from 30' to 11' to 30'. (11' depth at the center of the main span over the river). This pier shape is about the form and tying a continuous curve directly into the superstructure, while framing the river. The proportions reflect strength and elegance in their unique design. Two main piers features observation platforms curved along the river's edge. The superstructure concrete box girder is a closed shape with inclined walls and smooth surfaces of continuous flat planes. The appearance underneath is a sweeping form with the shape and concrete material creating a visually clean and quiet space below the bridge.
Global View
A functional sculptural bridge reflecting a series of modern arch forms softly set into the context of the site to maximize openness, light and green space, while focusing on the river. River span sweeps 504' in a parabolic curve of graceful proportions. The pier shape of Concept A creates reflection of curved forms with continuous movement into the bridge superstructure. Strength and elegance combine for a 70' tall pier.
|
Elevation
|
Cross Section
|
|
|
Retaining walls
Wall Locations
The use of local stone to face the retaining walls was clearly preferred by the charette participants, with an average rating of 7.7 out of a possible 10.
|
Native Stone Wall Rendering
|
Example of Native stone wall near I-35E
|
|
|
Gateway Monuments - Participants provided comments and feedback that will guide designers as they finalize designs for the entranceways of the bridge.
Railing
|
Rail Locations
|
Rail Material
|
Driver's Perspective
|
|
|
|
Fully Open Rail
|
Fully Open Rail (eye level)
|
|
|
|
|
Selected: Full Open Railing Fully open railings were selected with an average rating of 7.4 out of 10.
Color
The majority of the bridge design charette participants preferred a white color for the new bridge.
|
White bridge from the Guthrie
|
White bridge from north shore near St. Anthony Falls
|
|
|
Lighting - tied
Voting ended in a tie between a full lighting option and an option that involved lighting the superstructure and underside of the bridge piers. Participants agreed to allow the Visual Quality Advisory Team for the project to make a final decision on lighting after reviewing all of the completed design choices.
All lighting options will include
|
Light poles along centerline of bridge
|
Photo cells or computer timers
|
|
|
Contractor Selection Information
| 
