Park Union Bridge has Olympic Opening
The grand opening of Park Union Bridge in Colorado could not have been timelier. The bridge officially opened to pedestrian traffic on July 1, 2021, connecting Southwest Downtown Colorado Springs and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum with America the Beautiful Park – just in time for the delayed 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.
CP&Y participated in various stages of this high-profile project including preparation of a technical memo to assess feasibility, benefits, and limitations of various pedestrian bridge systems. We also prepared cost estimates, renderings (see gallery below), and preliminary bridge layouts. We performed independent peer review of structural and architectural plans, design calculations, specifications, and requisitions to approve payments during construction.
Olympians inspired the bridge’s design which mimics “the gravity-defying motion of athletes” according to the City’s website. Sleek exterior loops arch over the walkway giving the impression of fluid, fast movement. Accessible by ramps, stairs, and a glass elevator, the bridge provides a variety of users with views of the America the Beautiful Park and Pikes Peak beyond.
The design required 260 feet of clear span with 25 feet of vertical clearance over heavy rail lines. Accessibility considerations included stairs, elevators, and ramps that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The design also includes on-bridge lighting for safer nighttime use of the bridge and aesthetics.
Park Union Bridge is part of a much larger City initiative to develop a “City for Champions” in Olympic City USA, the nickname of Colorado Springs which is home to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee Headquarters, Training Center, and Museum. The bridge project coincided with construction of the museum and adjacent landscape. The City for Champions projects will enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors, as well as bring energy and economic development to the Colorado Springs region.
Learn more!
For more information about this and other CP&Y projects in Colorado, reach out to Zach Stone, PE by phone at 719.685.8608 or by email at zstone@cpyi.com.