Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA
Michael Van Valkenburgh’s new Gateway Bridge over the Arkansas River in Oklahoma will become a new symbol for the City of Tulsa.
Engineered by Schlaich Bergermann Partner, the 1,440-ft long footbridge will allow pedestrians to cross the river safely and memorably to “the Gathering,” the immense also designed by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates.
As a replacement for a bridge in need of major repair, it will connect the east and the west sides of the river and link to the River Parks Trail and Midland Valley Trail.
The bridge is designed for bicyclists and pedestrians and will offer opportunities to enjoy the dramatic river views.
To achieve this, additional areas equipped with seating possibilities will be created alongside the pedestrian areas on the bridge deck.
This semi-integral bridge was designed with extremely slender deck-stiffened arches built from 3-1/4″ plate of weathering steel.
Once completed in 2022, it will be the longest arch-type pedestrian bridge and the first ever built plate arch bridge in the United States.
At night, the bridge’s illuminated arches reflecting on the river below will be visible to residents and visitors of the city.
“The bridge selection process was truly a united effort by the community – from the creative individuals who submitted designs by the hundreds, to the thousands of citizens who provided essential feedback and to the Selection Committee for their hard work and diligence at every step of this process,” Mayor G.T. Bynum said.
“Through the use of Vision Tulsa funds and by working together collectively, we are continuing Tulsa’s civic legacy of building a more beautiful city for the next generation.”
Project: The Gateway Bridge
Landscape Architects: Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc.
Architects of Record: KKT Architects, Inc.
Engineers: Schlaich Bergermann Partner (sbp gmbh)
General Contractor: Crossland Construction Company Inc.
Bridge Fabricators: Hillsdale Fabricators
Lighting Designers: Domingo Gonzales Associates
Client: City of Tulsa
