Pedestrian Bridge

The objective of the City of Tempe is to realize an iconic bridge that closes the loop around Tempe Town Lake for pedestrians and bicyclists. The bridge will be aligned on top of the existing rubber dam in front of the new Tempe Center for the Arts. This location demands a timeless design that does not compete with the architecture of the Center for the Arts but rather complements it. A team of designers, headed by T.Y. Lin International was selected to create the design for the pedestrian bridge.
 

Town Lake Pedestrian Bridge Crossing




 

 

  

A bow string arch bridge will cross the west dam of Town Lake. The three existing piers that are part of the dam will support the four spans of 228 feet. In the design, steel pipes cross each other at two intersections which results in a very dynamic appearance. Crossed cables from the pipe arch support a 10 feet wide bridge deck that expands to 14 feet at the piers giving pedestrians and cyclists an opportunity to step aside from the main bridge deck and take a break to enjoy the view. (Click picture for larger view)
 
Town Lake Pedestrian Bridge Arch

 

 

 

 

   To emphasize the triangular shapes of this design a shading system using triangular pieces of canvas or metal scrim will be placed at the view points. The "sun sails" flow down along the main beams and connect the different arches, while giving shade at the piers from 10 a.m. till 6 p.m. The shape of the shading structures relate to the facetted roof of the Center for the Arts (click picture for larger view). With only the cables down lighted and the hand railing lighting the bridge deck, a timeless and elegant sculpture will float across the lake when seen by night.
 

The bridge deck and north landing plaza will have a change in the materials to mimic the shadow cast from the bridge at the Spring and Fall equinox. The plaza provides an east and west ramp transition for path users. This north landing is a terminus for the bridge and public plaza to enjoy views of Town Lake, including the Tempe Center for the Arts (TCA) and Salt River habitat restoration. The south landing will remove the concrete wall and industrial picket fencing at the edge of the TCA to provide an open and welcoming entrance to the bridge.