Pedestrian Bridge Brochure

Pedestrian Bridges

Setting the Standard

Founded as a bridge firm 110 years ago, HNTB brings unsurpassed technical expertise to all bridge projects. We provide full-service capabilities and advanced technology for the planning, design and construction of complex span and movable bridges. The firm’s design and construction experts help clients and contractors achieve successful results that improve mobility and augment quality of life in local communities.

Northaven Trail Bridge

Dallas, Texas

A testament to connectivity, industry-leading design and innovative delivery, the Texas Department of Transportation’s Northaven Trail Bridge provides an essential mobility solution that will continue to serve the Dallas community for many years to come.

The pedestrian bridge spans across the busy, eightlane U.S. 75 and rests between two highly trafficked systems of local walking/biking trails. Nearly half a mile in length, the structure reduces barriers to alternative methods of transportation and offers a safe, new connection to regional recreational activities.

Serving as engineer-of-record and construction phase services provider, HNTB collaborated with TxDOT to deliver a truly one-of-a-kind bridge. The Northaven Trail Bridge is the only known network-tied arch bridge with a doubly-curved deck and skewed supports. With a structural weight of 800,000 pounds, it’s designed to withstand a pedestrian load of approximately one person per square-foot of bridge deck, or approximately 445,000 pounds. In addition, the bridge’s cable arrangement was carefully designed to increase the stiffness of the structure by a factor of ten, making it incredibly resilient to accidental overloads.

To support TxDOT’s mission to deliver the bridge while minimizing closures and sustaining highway mobility, HNTB worked to design a bridge that would enable accelerated bridge construction (ABC). First built offsite, the bridge was then moved into place over a single weekend. While highway traffic was minimized for a few hours overnight, HNTB was able to ensure that U.S. 75 was never fully closed to travelers.

Navy Pier Flyover

Chicago, Illinois

HNTB designed a 1,750-foot flyover that gives users of the Lakefront Trail a safe thoroughfare through one of the most congested points in the trail, Navy Pier, the top tourist attraction in the city. The design of the 16-foot-wide flyover utilizes a central steel spine and a longitudinal spine-rib support system that allows the bridge to curve up, down and around.

Torsion is addressed through supporting columns topped with a saddle-like configuration that transitions the load downward. Specially designed

lugs were created to link expansion joints to provide torsional continuity and allow for temperature-driven expansion and contraction. They also support any torque coming through the joint from imbalances that may occur on the surface, or vibrations from asymmetrical loading.

An LED lighting system illuminates the flyover, and a stainless-steel curb cover extends along the deck edges to create an even more uniform shape and appearance.

Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge

Omaha, Nebraska

A signature structure and a point of pride, the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge provides connection to two communities over the Missouri River. The HNTB steel structure has a graceful curvilinear S-shaped design that gently meanders from Omaha, Nebraska to Council Bluffs, Iowa, symbolizing the waters of the Missouri River that flows below.

Despite crossing an area of the river that is only 800-feet wide, the bridge stretches out for more than 2,300 feet — making it one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the nation. The completed pedestrian bridge, along with an adjacent park and landing area, are the epicenter of activity. Visually striking and functional, the bridge is a catalyst for community involvement and economic growth.

Mary Avenue Bridge

Cupertino, California

Mary Avenue Bridge is the first cable-stayed bridge crossing an interstate highway in California. It connects suburban communities between two cities to schools and work centers previously divided by the highway. The bridge now includes gateway paths, extensive landscaping and public art for viewing by bicyclists and pedestrians alike.

The 500-foot-long steel structure spans eight lanes of Interstate 280. Approximately 240 tons of steel

were used for the project, which was built with a structural steel girder-and-beam superstructure. It is surrounded by nearly 12 acres of native landscaping, complete with sound wall reconstruction and 1,700 feet of lighted bicycle and pedestrian paths. HNTB served as lead designer and used value engineering methods to develop a visually stunning, functional and affordable project design.

Streicker Bridge

Princeton, New Jersey

The Streicker Bridge addressed the urgent need for a safe pedestrian crossing over Washington Road, a historically dangerous thoroughfare on Princeton University’s campus. The result was a 340-foot tubular steel arch bridge connecting key areas of the campus. The structure is a vital link between facilities and provides access to Princeton Township.

HNTB partnered with Princeton University to provide structural design services and oversee the project from concept to construction. As a high-profile undertaking, the Streicker Bridge had to navigate various constraints, creating a unique structural design tailored to the site’s specific needs.

The Streicker Bridge project showcases a commitment to excellence in design and construction. Its design is characterized by clarity and functionality, providing a secure and accessible crossing. It seamlessly integrates with the natural environment, offering pedestrians a unique experience of walking amidst a tree canopy, meandering through the woodland setting. The bridge’s meticulous detailing enhances durability and minimizes long-term maintenance costs.

Wichita Riverfront Pedestrian Bridges

Wichita, Kansas

A vital component of Wichita’s comprehensive riverfront development plan, the Wichita Riverfront Pedestrian Bridges included designing, planning and building two pedestrian bridges at the juncture of the Arkansas and Little Arkansas Rivers. The structures serve as crucial connectors, uniting educational, cultural and natural landmarks, including the area’s extensive biking and hiking trails along the riverbanks.

The City of Wichita entrusted HNTB to design a pair of distinctive cable-stayed bridges featuring towers with asymmetrical placements. The bridge’s design draws inspiration from the rich heritage of Native

American culture. Soaring to a height of 124 feet, two tapered tower pylons each artfully mirror the general outline of a feather, with the upper cable anchorage reminiscent of a Native American headdress and the cable array subtly evoking the qualities of a taut bow and arrow.

Beyond their visual appeal, the Wichita Riverfront Pedestrian Bridges are distinguished by their technical excellence. Equipped with tuned mass dampers beneath the bridge decks, they effectively mitigate vibrations caused by live loads, ensuring structural stability.