A low-profile concrete arch pedestrian bridge has been chosen instead of a 'signature' cable-stayed crossing for the city of Durham in North Carolina, USA.
The city council made the unanimous decision yesterday.
Public opinion had been split between the two designs for the crossing of Interstate 40, with a third suggestion - a prefabricated truss - receiving little interest. Public works staff recommended the low profile arch. The recommendation was based primarily on a lower estimated construction cost and long-term maintenance issues, particularly the fact that local contractors are less familiar with cable-stayed bridges.
The 'signature' cable-stayed option had originally been favoured by the city adminstration as creating a bold statement about Durham.
The city's consultants for the project are PB Americas and Steven Grover & Associates.
