24 September 2009
The National Steel Bridge Alliance has named eight winning projects in its eightieth bridge awards, which were open to projects from the USA and Canada. The major span award has been won by Tempe Town Lake Light Rail Bridge in Arizona and the long span prize has gone to Corridor D/Route 50 Bridge over the Ohio River and Blennerhassett Island.
The Tempe Town bridge was designed for Valley Metro Rail by TY Lin International. Its general contractor was PCL Civil Engineering. The judges praised the innovative use of steel pipes to create a powerful and efficient structural system. The bridge was described as 'beauty over water', with its lighting making it a piece of art.
In the Corridor D/Route 50 Bridge, engineers and designers integrated truss elements in a tied-arch structure, with post-tensioned steel cables, deck, and pier caps. The hybrid design optimised structural integrity, user safety and cost efficiency and the judges said that it 'showcases complexity on a grand scale'. The client was West Virginia Department of Transportation and it was designed by Michael Baker, Jr. The general contractor was Walsh Construction.
The other winners were Mount Si Bridge Replacement (medium span), Roslyn Road grade crossing elimination (short span), Hamilton Avenue Bridge (movable span), Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge (special purpose) and Thurston Avenue Bridge (reconstructed), with a special award going to Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge.
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