Wright Park Pedestrian Bridge
Metro Parks Tacoma required a replacement pedestrian bridge for its historic Wright Park, which consisted of structural design of the foundation and bridge abutments, as well as a generation of a performance specification for a custom pre-engineered bridge superstructure. PSE worked closely with the owner to select a bridge superstructure option that would adhere to stringent historic, aesthetic, and maintenance requirements, while also meet necessary loading and geometric demands, including ADA requirements. Located within a registered Tacoma historic park, the project required coordination and approval from the local jurisdiction’s Landmarks Preservation Commission. The unique statement bridge features a Vierendeel-style truss design with architectural railing.
Typically, a pedestrian bridge would have diagonal members in the railings, but these were removed, aiming to highlight the decorative railing. The owner also requested two sloped areas on the left and right of the bridge as opposed to a flat or cambered bridge – for additional aesthetic and visual appeal.
“We really wanted to have a unique statement bridge.”
“It was important that the bridge, even though it’s of modern construction, be elegant in its design detailing and very photogenic.”
