Title
SW 13th St Overpass Design Competition (B)
Explanation
The overpass that stretches across SW 13th Street near the intersection of Archer Rd presents a unique redevelopment opportunity. It has the potential to serve as both a striking gateway feature into the College Park/University Heights Redevelopment Area and provide an important connection for multi-modal commuters traveling along the Depot Ave Rail-Trail and SW 13th St. However, the current aesthetics and access to the overpass do not embrace these opportunities. Instead the old railway bridge is topped with a chain-linked cage structure, as an FDOT requirement when it was converted into a component of the Rails-to-Trails system. This cage structure is purposeful of providing safety to users of the bridge and motorists below, but its appearance is insensitive to the urban form and context of the surrounding community. Furthermore, accessing the overpass is difficult. As a component of the Rails-to-Trails shared-use path system, it has enormous potential to serve as a vital link for users of the system. At its current configuration, users are required to travel out of their way to access the bridge, either by traveling several blocks east, or crossing congested roadways. For these reasons, the CRA is initiating a design competition that will address these challenges, and re-align the overpass functions with the aesthetic form and redevelopment goals of the community.
In August 2007, the CRA Board heard a presentation from CRA staff about a design competition held for the City of Pittsburgh's West End Pedestrian Bridge. The West End Pedestrian Bridge Competition received much attention, and concluded with a high-quality, unique design for the bridge, leading to a successful redevelopment project. After hearing the presentation, the CRA Board authorized staff to initiate a similar design competition with the purpose of addressing the aesthetics and access of the SW 13th Street pedestrian overpas...
Click here for full text