Ken Burns Bridge over Lake Quinsigamond
Worcester, MA
Lake Quinsigamond lies between the University of Massachusetts Medical School and Hospital in Worcester and the commercial and residential areas of Shrewsbury. This crossing carries State Route 9, a high-traffic regional arterial, and is heavily used by students and employees walking or biking between the Medical Center and Shrewsbury. Both towns consider the bridge a major gateway to their respective communities. The bridge is named for Ken Burns, a local rowing champion, who in the 1920's revived use of the lake as a center for competitive rowing. The finish line for the rowing course is right at the bridge. Crowds gather on the bridge to watch the races and cheer on their schoolmates.
The new bridge is a steel arch bridge with long spans that provide wide openings for both boating and water-level views. The arches create a continuous arched line connecting the two towns both physically and symbolically. Generous sidewalks handle the pedestrian/bicycle traffic, and eight large overlooks with seating accommodate race fans. At each end of the bridge large gateway features resembling sails give the bridge visual presence at street level while recalling the sailing that also occurs on the lake. The result is a bridge that equally serves transportation, recreation and urban design goals.
"The new bridge is great. My grandfather would have been very happy with it."