West End Pedestrian Bridge over the Ohio River
Pittsburgh, PA
Pittsburgh was founded at the point where the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers join to form the Ohio. Much of Pittsburgh's riverfront has now been reclaimed from industry and is linked by a series of riverwalks. In 2006 the Riverlife Foundation sponsored a design competition for a pedestrian/bicycle bridge across the Ohio River adjoining the existing West End arch bridge, just downstream from the rivers' juncture. The new bridge would complete a loop connecting all of the riverwalks. Mr. Gottemoeller formed an interdisciplinary team, combining architects, engineers and an artist, that was invited to participate in the competition.
The team's first proposal was an innovative Y-shaped suspension bridge carrying a monumental fabric sculpture within its suspension network. The sweeping curves of its cables would complement the arch of the existing bridge. As observers move around the bridges the visual relationship between them would constantly change. The effect would be similar to watching two ballroom dancers, with the new suspension bridge showing off its partner. The second proposal would rely on the existing bridge for support. A new arched lower chord carrying the path would curve up and away from the existing bridge, bringing users out into the open space above the river. Cables tied to the existing arch would carry the new chord and provide an armature for a fabric sculpture.