"Rio del Rey Pedestrian Bridge” completed in 2021, Phoenix, AZ., provides passage over a major freeway separating children from their schools. The bridge responds in a collaboration of sunlight, lighting, color and material to distract from the long passage. Span enclosure is total, composed of perforated, staggered-pattern panels, providing safety, shade, complete exterior views and airflow. Tilted, alternating polycarbonate panels above cast shards of color over the patterned interior. In daylight, the bridge provides a constant, riotous performance that is both ocean and hourly marker with its collaborator, the sun. At night, blue filters, bathe the interior in deep, quiet drama - the bridge sleeps.

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The “Z” alignment of the steel truss bridge is formed by two ramps connecting the 425’ span, 18’ above the freeway, 12’ W. Interior clearance is 10’. 

 

Collaboration: Keith Crawford, Architect; Don Happ, DH Lighting Solutions, Lighting Designer; Greg Brockman, Magnum Companies, Fabricator; Stinger Bridge & Iron, Fabricator

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Commission: City of Phoenix Office of Arts & Culture Public Art Program; Street Transportation Dept; Percent-for-Art funds; Street Transportation Capital

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Photography: Aaron Rothman / ARBR Photo; Craig Smith