Liberty Bridge over the Reedy River
Greenville, South Carolina
Greenville's downtown is bisected by a wooded valley containing the falls of the Reedy River and a public garden. The community wanted to reconnect the two halves of downtown with a pedestrian bridge that would improve public enjoyment of the park and provide an attractive symbol of the city's core.
The new bridge curves across the park just downstream of the falls and at roughly the same level as the upper river. It provides an aerial amphitheatre facing the falls. Users can enjoy the whole scene while watching as the water rush toward them, then falling away beneath their feet. The elderly and handicapped particularly appreciate the experience because they have no other way to enjoy the garden and falls. With its thin deck and spidery suspension system the bridge appears to float through the treetops. The pylons and cable are visible from nearby vantage points and draw visitors to the falls. The bridge has become a valued landmark for downtown Greenville. It was completed in 2004 at a cost of $4.6 million. Mr. Gottemoeller was the engineer of record for the project.
The bridge received the Arthur G. Hayden Award at the 2005 Pittsburgh International Bridge Conference and the 2005 Special Purpose Bridge Award by the National Steel Bridge Alliance.